NEW ORLEANS 6 Tickets are now on sale for the Tony Award-winning rock musical "The Who's Tommy," being presented at The Saenger Theatre, Jan. 30 through Feb. 4.

"Tommy," which opened on Broadway April 22, 1993, is the recipient of five Tony Awards 6 for best score, director, choreography, scenic design and lighting. It received six Drama Desk Awards, three Outer Critics Circle awards and a 1994 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Recording.

Hurtling onto the stage with dramatically streaming lights, sets soaring through the air, breathtaking projections, robotic instruments and dozens of video screens, "Tommy" is one of the most technically sophisticated productions in Broadway history.

The Who first gave voice to "Tommy" in 1969 with its landmark concept album of the "rock opera." Tommy's amazing musical journey, which features such mega-hits as "Amazing Journey," "See Me, Feel Me," "We're Not Going to Take It" and "Pinball Wizard" has since rocked across generations and all around the world. In addition to these timeless classics, the stage version features new material by Townshend, including a new ballad, "I Believe My Own Eyes."

"Tommy" is told visually and musically with virtually no dialogue. Set in Britain between the end of World War II and the late '60s (instead of the 20th century of the album), "Tommy" chronicles the adventures of young Tommy Walker. Following a traumatic experience in childhood, which causes him to withdraw from the world, Tommy emerges an unwilling hero 6 the Pinball Wizard 6 who must live up to the expectations of his demanding followers.

Michael Seelbach plays the title role in Big League Theatricals' production of "The Who's Tommy," at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans Jan. 30 through Feb. 4.

Writer/composer/musician Pete Townshend has been a member of The Who since 1963. At least 20 of his more than 300 recorded songs have been chart hits and he has written and composed several major collections, including "Tommy," that have won international recognition. Given the Ivor Novello Award by his songwriter peers for services to the British Music Industry (1981), and the British Phonographic Industry Award (1983), he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. He has twice been nominated for Grammys and received an Academy Award nomination for the film score of "Tommy."

In 1991, he received the International Rock Awards Life Achievement Award in recognition of his work as an international performer, producer and composer.

The national tour of "Tommy" is directed by Vicky Bussert.

Tickets are available at all TicketMaster locations and the Saenger Theatre box office. To charge by phone, call (504) 522-5555 or 1-800-488-5252. Tickets are priced from $24 to $36.50.

Performances are at 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m.