Spring Break
Play caters to rock and history fans
Alysson Cwyk
Issue date: 10/17/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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Written by Academy Award and four-time Tony Award winner Tom Stoppard, "Rock 'n' Roll" takes viewers back to the year 1968, when peace, love, and music ran free-in certain communities.
Traveling over a span of 22 years and alternating between England and Prague, Czechoslovakia, "Rock 'n' Roll" will entertain one on a musical and historical journey.
With long-flowing, hippie hair, Jan (Barnaby Carpenter), a Czech doctoral student at the prestigious Cambridge, loves rebellious rock music-following artists, attending alternative events and supporting those rejected by popular society.
His mentor and professor, Max (David Chandler), adheres to Communist ways. Throughout "Rock 'n' Roll," these characters are shown together and apart, living day-to-day in their respective hometowns and recovering from whatever issues plague their lives.
From the golden summer of 1968 to the end of the Soviet regime in 1990, the play demonstrates the relationship amongst the two men, their families and loved ones, tying together the fact that rock 'n' roll still exists even through the political turmoil experienced around the world.
Artistic directors Blanka and Jiri Zizka personally connect to the story of "Rock 'n' Roll" through the parallels they had encountered in Czechoslovakia.
In 1976, the couple left their hometown after the government closure of their theater, leading to their separate arrivals in the United States. The twosome reunited and created their first Wilma production of "Animal Farm" in May 1979.
"The Czech characters in the play encounter events very similar to experiences of our closest friends who remained in Prague," Blanka Zizka said.
Aside from the historical accuracies, "Rock 'n' Roll" thoroughly demonstrates the music of the times. Hearing music from the era in between scenes, like The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Syd Barrett and Prague's The Plastic People of the Universe, as well as incorporating rock facts into the play, successfully ties the historical and musical aspects together in "Rock 'n' Roll."
Characters dress to the period-not just clothing wise, but haircuts as well.
And, the accents are dead on. With a rotating stage, the Wilma Theater does an excellent job at set execution, as the floor spins and rock plays.
Overall, Stoppard's "Rock 'n' Roll" is exceptional and will be adored by classic rock and history buffs alike.
"Rock 'n' Roll" is now playing at the Wilma Theater through Oct. 26. Ticket prices range from $44 to $60 and can be purchased online at www.wilmatheater.org or by phone at (215) 546-7824.
Limited Student Rush tickets are $10 with a valid college ID, but make sure to call ahead on the day of the performance for availability.
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