European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 01, 1995, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A pinball wizard classic Rock and $20 million make. By Deedee Doke staff writer of know the Story. A deaf dumb and Blind kid shocked into his dark silent state when he witnesses a crime of passion redeems himself first at the pinball machine and ultimately by coming to grips with life through love and forgiveness. A classic Rock score by the who s Pete Townshend turned this fable into legend 25 years ago. Three years ago the legend became a spectacular Broadway musical that nailed five Tony awards. In april this year the who s Tommy reached another Milestone when German concert promoter Peter Rieger produced the Broadway version s european premiere in Offenbach Germany with a total investment of nearly 30 million Marks about $21 million. Since its european premiere an estimated 100,000 people have seen Tommy in Offenbach. Starring in the title role is Tony nominee Michael Cerveris the original Tommy in the Broadway production and a cast made up primarily of americans and britons. And Rieger is convinced he moved wisely in bringing the show to Germany entirely in English. I saw it two years ago on Broadway and i thought my gosh i need to have that pieces " Rieger said of his desire to stage Tommy in his Homeland. I need to have it. / a " a dazzling show on All counts Tommy epitomizes both a spare minimalism in staging and technical wizardry. A pinball machine grates wildly on a Pedestal. Exploding in a Cascade of Sparks but a set May consist Only of a door Frame or two a bed and a Couch with the cast removing set pieces As quickly As the speedy scene. Changes demand. Musically this is More a rip snorting Rock concert although earplugs Aren t necessary than an evening with Andrew Lloyd Webber with a real life Rock n Roll drummer who s played with David Bowie Rod Stewart and Julian Lennon to name a few. And it Townshend s music just hitting its stride at 25, that casts a spell on Roger Bart Center in striped pants plays mischievous Tommy s Cousin Kevin. Much of the cast As Well As the audience. I think it s probably. The music said Michael Veveris when asked what kept him interested in the show after playing the role first in Lajolla calif., then Broadway a . Tour and now. No matter How exhausted i am and i seem to be exhausted a lot i get to the theater and the downbeat hits and i m excited  currently Tommy is drawing about 70 percent capacity of the 1,127 available seats in the theater am Gudeth Strasse the former synagogue and movie  Rieger is leasing for 27 years and renovated for this production at a Cost of 16 million Marks about $11.1 million. It s a sensitive Issue for Rieger for whom Tommy Marks a first Outing As a producer of musicals. At this moment i am Content with ticket sates but i m not Happy. It s of. Could be better Rieger Saniei. But Tell me of one businessman that s always Happy 1 the 30-million Mark investment he conceded was no drop in the bucket. Among the production costs Are for example paying a Crew of More than 200 people the laundering of 80 shirts every Day the purchases of 12 pairs of panty Hose per show and expensive Talent. The whole investment is frightening i Tell you i am wetting my pants i Tell you when i think about the numbers said Rieger. The question is How Long will Tommy run if it s like cats Fine. We believe that our recoupment for flu theater will be done within five years. Our recoupment for the Tammy piece will be done within one  ,. In retrospect Rieger said the Only thing he d do differently aside from various organizational matters in bringing Tommy to Offenbach would be i announcing his expectation that the show would run five years. Now he s not issuing any  think it s Filo Michael Cev Cris Center in All White repeats his Broadway role of Tommy. Too delicate a question Riegor said. It will run is Long As the people want to see it.". Deciding to produce it in English was easy Richer said. I would understand it As a rape of the piece if you produce in in German. I think the sound of English in n musical is much better. I think the German words arc Loo harsh too hard. There was no question for me there was just no question that this piece has to be done in the original version which is  Rieger has also contributed financially to the current continued on  20 Adina Howard concert listings see pages 22, 23 & 24 the woman who s Freaky and proud of if plays tvo dates in Germany this fall. Friday september 1, 1995 the stars and stripes