A year after The Who released their album Tommy, I saw them perform it live at the Auditorium Theater. I had trouble hearing for two days thereafter, but I didn’t care.

With that memory in mind, I thought about bringing ear plugs to the musical, but decided against it, though I was told afterward that the Goodman had them available for audience members, apparently out of my line of sight.

It was loud, though not nearly as loud as the concert had been, and, again, I didn’t care, and don’t appear to have any residual hearing loss.

I came for the music, and was rewarded with not only a tremendous orchestra, but also a great cast, terrific choreography and incredible set design, which included all kinds of amazing light displays. This production is very special, unlike anything I’ve seen before.

The Pinball Wizard scene that closes the first act is itself worth the price of admission, but I’ll also give a shout out to the way in which the paratroopers’ actions were depicted near the opening of the show.

When the full cast started singing the finale, the audience couldn’t contain itself any longer, standing en masse and cheering well before the song ended, which I suppose also could have been reflective of a need for movement given how cold it was in the theater. It’s always something.

The show has been extended to the end of July. See it, feel it.