By means of Lucy Komisar
David Adjmi’s new play “Stereophonic” strips away the glitter and glamour of Nineteen Seventies rock to expose a gritty, usally unsettling portrait of creativity, ambition, and poisonous relationships. Set in a California recording studio, this engrossing and entertaining behind-the-scenes drama exposes the misogyny and exploitation lurking underneath the counterculture’s rebellious facade.
Tom Pecinka as Peter and Sarah Pidgeon as Diana, photograph Juliet Cervantes.
The tale revolves round Diana (Sarah Pidgeon), a emerging folk-rock big name whose lack of confidence clashes together with her chart-topping good fortune. Pidgeon delivers a powerhouse efficiency, shooting each Diana’s uncooked ability and fragile psyche. Her husband Peter (Tom Pecinka), serving as guitarist and manufacturer, emerges as a controlling, psychologically abusive presence. Pecinka’s nuanced portrayal makes Peter’s cruelty all of the extra chilling.
Similarly compelling is the British duo of Holly (Juliana Canfield) and Reg (Will Brill). Canfield shines because the sensible, proficient Holly, who in any case stands as much as her substance-abusing husband. Brill’s Reg embodies the technology’s excesses, anticipating his spouse to wash up his messes each literal and figurative.
Chris Stack as Simon and Wil Brill as Reg, Juliana Canfield as Holly, pictures Julieta Cervantes.
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Chris Stack rounds out the primary forged as Simon, the British drummer oblivious to the wear his absence is inflicting his circle of relatives again house. His storyline serves as a stark reminder of the non-public prices of pursuing musical goals.
Adjmi’s script pulls no punches in its depiction of the informal misogyny pervading the track scene. The boys, with their needful lengthy hair and drug behavior, dangle to patriarchal energy constructions at the same time as they rail towards societal norms. It’s a damning indictment of an technology usally romanticized in pop culture.
The solid within the hangout-control room, photograph Julieta Cervantes.
The claustrophobic recording studio atmosphere, brilliantly discovered by way of the design crew, turns into a drive cooker for the characters’ escalating conflicts. As days stretch into months after which a yr, transferring from Sausalito to Los Angeles, we witness the unraveling of relationships and psyches alike.
A standout part is the nature of Grover (Eli Gelb), the neurotic and green sound engineer. Gelb supplies moments of awkward comedy that provide temporary respites from the serious drama unfolding round him.
Andrew R. Butler as Charlie and Eli Gelb as Grover, the sound engineers, photograph Julieta Cervantes.
Director Daniel Aukin assists in keeping the pacing taut, permitting tensions to simmer and explode in startlingly real looking outbursts. The common screaming suits between characters really feel uncooked and uncomfortable, mirroring the disintegration in their non-public {and professional} lives.
“Stereophonic” confronts the often-glossed-over misogyny of the rock international. In the back of many data, there is also tales of exploitation, abuse, and shattered goals. It’s a sobering counterpoint to the nostalgia usally related to the technology.
As Grover aptly places it, “Don’t you suppose this is sort of a nightmare?”
“Stereophonic.” Written by way of David Adjmi, unique songs by way of Will Butler, directed by way of Daniel Aukin. Golden Theatre, 252 West forty fifth St., NYC. Runtime 3hrs10min. Songs are right here. Opened April 19, 2024, open run.
