The Pete Principles

Since its release in 1969, I have been a devotee of the rock opera “Tommy” and was therefore delighted to attend one of its early performances at the La Jolla Playhouse. The whole show was energetic: The acting, singing and music exploded from the stage with an urgency reminiscent of the original Who album.

But hey, Pete, why the different ending? I understand that you’ve re-examined your personal life and decided that pop saviors have feet of clay and so had Tommy disown his own messiahship. That I understand. But wait. What about the pinball angle?

By not reintroducing pinball playing at the end, you’ve negated an important story component. That is, if Tommy doesn’t force his disciples to play pinball with their eyes blindfolded, their mouths gagged and their ears plugged, then why have the pinball bit at all?

You may as well cut out the Pinball Wizard sequence and have Tommy, after being cured, just say it was really neat to be deaf, dumb and blind. Please explain, Pete.

JEFFREY NEGRETE

Gardena