In the span of the two-plus-hour restaging of The Who’s Tommy, which opened this week at the Goodman Theatre, lead actor Ali Louis Bourzgui must sing, dance and spin like a tornado while dangling on a rope suspended several feet over the stage.

Bourzgui also pantomimes a lot of pinball, since the rock opera is, after all, about a pinball wizard.

But the major thread running through his performance, and the slick, high-tech show, is the music of the British band The Who. In the titular role, the Moroccan-American actor channels the artistry of Tommy co-creator Pete Townshend, the Who’s lead guitarist, who composed the concept album in 1969 at age 23 – the same age that Bourzgui is now.

WBEZ caught up with Bourzgui after he received a standing ovation on opening night and asked him about the demands of the lead role and channeling The Who for Gen Z.

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WBEZ: It’s opening night. How did it feel?

Bourzgui: I mean, there was like this crazy energy just throughout the entire crowd. And I could tell that it was generational. I mean, there’s young people, and old people, and people that are getting sent back to their youth, and people that were in their youth being sent into this, like, amazing generational story. It was just pure fun.

What do you hope people take away from the show?

Bourzgui: I hope that people mainly take away the music from this show and understand how much music can transcend any of our basic senses. And how music can bring us all together and sort of make us feel this personal intimacy with ourselves.

What is it like to play the lead in a musical that was rule-breaking 30 years ago, and that’s now being modernized?

Bourzgui: Playing this role has definitely been a challenge in a lot of ways. It’s pushed me. You know, I’ve never really sung anything quite like this. I’ve never acted anything quite like this. Like it’s ethereal and it’s hard. And it’s hard rock. It’s difficult, but it’s been a blast. And the entire time, I’ve really just wanted to make my own thing within this, but also pay homage to The Who and bring the whole legacy of this show into my performance.

Did you listen to the music of The Who before this?

Bourzgui: Yeah, in college, I discovered The Who and discovered Tommy and all the different concept albums. But I didn’t really get into The Who, as much as I am now, until after listening and being a part of this.

For a younger generation of theater goer, or music lover, how would you explain The Who? Maybe they only know the band as something in their parents’ record collection.

Bourzgui: They have this amazing attitude. And everything that they make is so unique and weird, like downright weird. And unlike any other group you ever hear, they’re unapologetic, but that’s the best part, right? They make this art that is so their own. And then they’re unapologetic about it and they’re confident about it, and you’re forced to love it. It’s awesome.

For an actor, what does this role mean?

Bourzgui: I mean, this is huge. As an actor, getting to do this role is, again, unlike anything I’ve ever done. Playing this in the first act is like playing this ethereal, eternal being, which is kind of a lot but it’s a great challenge. And then in the second act, it’s discovering what it is to sort of be reborn.

If you go: The Who’s Tommy has been extended to run through Aug. 6 at the Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St. Tickets are $30-$185.

Cassie Walker Burke is WBEZ’s external editor. Follow her @cassiechicago.