Stereophonic, a play written by David Adjmi with music by Will Butler and directed by Daniel Aukin, tells the story of a rock band in the 1970s as they record their new album.
The cast include original Broadway performers Andrew R. Butler as Charlie, Eli Gelb as Grover, and Chris Stack as Simon, along with Zachary Hart as Reg, Lucy Karczewski as Diana, and Jack Riddiford as Peter. The performances are strong, with each actor bringing believable depth to their role as band members dealing with the pressures of potential success.
The music feels authentic for the era. Will Butler (formerly of Arcade Fire) has created original songs that sound like they could have been hits in the 1970s. The actors handle both the musical and dramatic elements well, creating convincing moments of both creative collaboration and personal conflict.
The play explores the complicated side of making art, showing how creative pressure affects relationships and friendships. Some scenes are funny, others more serious. The three-hour length can feel long at times, though the story generally keeps you engaged.
David Zinn's set design creates a convincing recording studio environment. The attention to detail in the studio setup, from the mixing board to the instruments, helps establish the atmosphere. Ryan Rumery's sound design effectively puts you in the middle of the recording process.
Stereophonic works as both a story about music and a character study about friendship and ambition. David Adjmi's writing is thoughtful without being too complex. The play focuses on how personal relationships change under pressure, which gives it broader appeal beyond just music fans.
What makes it more interesting than a simple music story are the difficult questions it raises but never tries to answer. Who really has power and control when creative people work together? Is it okay to let someone cross personal and professional lines if it means creating something truly special? Should you let a piece of art fail to keep your values intact? The play asks all these questions but leaves you to think about the answers yourself.
This production shows why the play was successful on Broadway. While it's not ground-breaking theatre, it's a solid evening of entertainment that combines good storytelling with live music effectively.
It runs until 11 October. Tickets: here.
Photos: Marc Brenner