Ansel Elgort set to make dance debut in Pete Townshend’s rock ballet
Baby Driver actor Ansel Elgort is set to make his professional dance debut in Pete Townshend‘s Quadrophenia, A Rock Ballet in New York Cityin November.
Townshend announced the news via a statement, which read, “I’m thrilled to welcome Ansel to Quadrophenia. The spirit of Rock n’ Roll was not just my generation. It’s every generation.”
Elgort released his own statement, sharing, “Rock n’ Roll is not dead. I think it’s having a rebirth right now, downtown NYC you can hear electric guitars squealing through bar doors as people are hungry for live music. Even better, a rock ballet!”
He continued, “My roots are in ballet and theatre and to be able to return to the stage in The Who’s Quadrophenia rock ballet feels like a gift from the rock gods. Well, one of them himself, Pete Townshend already wrote me a note welcoming me on board, and I’m framing it.”
In 1973, The Who released their sixth studio record, Quadrophenia. The Pete Townshend-led concept album told the tale of Jimmy, a character who struggles with his identity amid the mod movement. In 1979, the concept turned from rock opera to a Franc Roddam-hailed moving picture.
Now, the reboot of the rock opera will grace the New York stage for four shows, after enjoying a run in London earlier this year. Elgort will play The Godfather in the show; Paris Fitzpatrick will perform the lead role of Jimmy Fitzpatrick. Additional casting is yet to be announced.
The backdrop for this production is the orchestral version of the Who album, originally recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Paul Smith will provide costumes for the bold, riotous reboot of the classic, well-known story.
On the final night of their recent North American farewell tour, The Who bid the US goodbye, sharing, “That’s what it is. To what we know as the Who, it’s goodbye. What Roger and I will get up to next, who knows? If we last any longer, I’m sure we’ll get up to all kinds of mischief, We’ll do stuff together, I’m sure sharing some stuff, all kinds bits and pieces. But for this kind of thing, it’s goodbye. And you were last!”
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