Rock 'n' Roll

Two countries, three generations, 22 turbulent years-and a dynamic soundtrack ranging from Syd Barrett to The Plastic People of the Universe to U2-are at the heart of Rock 'n' Roll, a sweeping and passionate drama about love, music and revolution from Academy Award and four-time Tony Award-winner Tom Stoppard. For the play's Chicago premiere at Goodman Theatre, Artistic Director Robert Falls taps director Charles Newell, whose reputation for directing acclaimed Stoppard productions precedes him. Newell's cast of 12 is led by Stephen Yoakam and Chicago favorites Timothy Edward Kane and Mary Beth Fisher, who explore the unique intersection of politics and art against the background of John Culbert's rock concert-inspired set design-complete with a floor resembling the cover art of Barrett's solo album, Madcap Laughs. Rock 'n' Roll will be performed in the Albert  Theatre May 2 – June 7, 2009.

"Of all the productions on Broadway last season, none captured the imagination quite like Rock 'n' Roll," said Artistic Director Robert Falls. "I'm thrilled to produce this inventive, joyous celebration of freedom and the power of music at the Goodman-and to welcome Chicago's foremost Stoppard interpreter, Charlie Newell, to the Goodman to direct."

Charles Newell has been the "restlessly intelligent artistic director" (Chicago Tribune) of Court Theatre for 15 years, where he has directed more than 30 productions. He made his Chicago directorial debut in 1993 with The Triumph of Love, which won the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Production. Directorial credits at Court include Caroline, or Change; The Wild Duck; Titus Andronicus; Uncle Vanya; Man of La Mancha; Hamlet; and Tom Stoppard's Arcadia, Travesties (twice) and The Invention of Love. Newell has also directed at the Guthrie Theater (The History Cycle, Cymbeline); Arena Stage; John Houseman's The Acting Company; the California and Alabama Shakespeare Festivals; The Juilliard School; and New York University.

"Rock 'n' Roll is a fascinating, complex journey that is at once highly emotional and intellectual," said Newell, who jokes that his affection for and extensive collection of Frank Zappa recordings were the real reasons he was chosen to direct Rock 'n' Roll. "Tom Stoppard masterfully weaves together Czech politics, Sappho poetry and early rock 'n' roll-and its transformative power in politics. It's an exhilarating night in the theater that makes its audience think and feel very deeply-leaving the theater basking in the high notes of Mick Jagger!"

Tom Stoppard uses 22 of history's greatest rock songs as narrative devices in Rock 'N' Roll, including:

"Golden Hair"
Syd Barrett's Madcap Laughs (1970)

 "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight"
Bob Dylan's John Wesley Harding (1967)

"It's All Over Now"
Rolling Stones' 12 X 5 (1964)

 "The Universe Symphony and Melody"
Plastic People of the Universe's Muz bez Uzi (1972)

"I'm Waiting for the Man"
The Velvet Underground's Velvet Underground & Nico (1967)

"Terrapin"
Syd Barrett's Madcap Laughs (1970)

"Astronomy Domine"
Pink Floyd's Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967)

"Jugband Blues"
Pink Floyd's A Saucerful of Secrets (1968)

"It's Only Rock ‘n' Roll (But I Like It)"
Rolling Stones' It's Only Rock ‘N Roll (1974)

"Chinatown Shuffle"
Grateful Dead's Rockin the Rhein with the Grateful Dead (1972)

 "Welcome to the Machine"
Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here

"Wouldn't It Be Nice"
The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds (1966)

"I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"
U2's The Joshua Tree (1987)

"Wish You Were Here"
Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here (1975)

"Bring It On Home to Me"
John Lennon's Anthology (1998)

"Vera"
Pink Floyd's The Wall (1979)

"You Got Me Rocking"
Rolling Stones' Voodoo Lounge (1994)

"The Last Time"
Rolling Stones' Out of Our Heads (1965)

"Venus in Furs"
The Velvet Underground's The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967)

"Break on Through (To the Other Side)"
The Doors' The Doors (1967)

"Give Peace a Chance"
John Lennon's Live Peace in Toronto, 1969

"Boys Don't Cry"
The Cure's Boys Don't Cry (1980)