Pete Townshend’s Quadrophenia, A Rock Ballet will make its New York stage debut this November, producers announced today.
Directed by Rob Ashford with choreography by Paul Roberts, the dance production will play at New York City Center November 14-16. The production arrives from a sold-out run of performances at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London and a UK tour.
Townshend said in a statement, “Quadrophenia is the only Who album that I solely composed and produced, and the movie that followed in 1979 launched the careers of some of the finest young actors of the time. In 2016 Rachel Fuller agreed to create an orchestral score of the album. When I first heard a demo of this version, without vocals, my first thought was that it would make a powerfully rhythmic and emotionally engaging ballet.
“Workshopped in 2023,” he continued, “that thought became a reality and I knew we had something that would resonate with new audiences, and also bring joy, as it had in its other iterations for decades. The themes of young people growing up in difficult times are still so relevant. It’s going to be poignant, tender and poetic and epic.”
Rising star Paris Fitzpatrick will perform the lead role of Jimmy. Fitzpatrick won Outstanding Male Modern Performance for his Romeo in New Adventures’ production of Romeo and Juliet at the National Dance Awards in June 2024.
Townshend wrote Quadrophenia in 1973. Recorded by The Who, it quickly became an iconic and multi-million selling album. The new ballet is described as “an explosive dance production – with a large cast of exceptional dancers, introducing new audiences to troubled mod Jimmy’s story while remaining true in spirit to the much-loved original.”
An orchestral version of the album by Rachel Fuller, recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, is the backdrop for the dance. The production is costumed by British fashion house Paul Smith.
Producers are Sadler’s Wells, Extended Play, and Universal Music UK. Tickets will be available to Friends of City Center this Thursday, September 4, with general onsale September 11.
