Intimately Epic: Stereophonic Review
An In-depth Analysis by Our Expert Critic
Stereophonic—an intimately epic behind-the-music drama—recently made a successful transition to Broadway after captivating audiences during its hit fall run at Playwrights Horizons. The enticing magnetism of this enthralling play remains undeterred, even on the grand stage of the Golden Theatre, as it effortlessly maintains its bewitching aura. Under the extraordinary direction of Daniel Aukin and the meticulous guidance of playwright David Adjmi, this superb production celebrates the integral role of music and the complexities of human connections.
Set in a magnificent 1970s recording studio, lavishly designed by David Zinn in shades of brown, orange, mustard, sage, and rust, Stereophonic chronicles the riveting journey of a rock band striving to conceive their groundbreaking masterpiece. The stage comes alive with a stellar ensemble cast reminiscent of the iconic Fleetwood Mac, aptly personifying their infamous and tumultuous collaborative recording experience during the creation of the legendary album Rumours. With superb fluency, the play gracefully captures the band’s artistic, romantic, and pharmaceutical dynamics, seamlessly blending drama and music into an extraordinary three-hour spectacle.
Through pitch-perfect performances and exceptional camaraderie, the characters come to life within the glass walls of the soundproof recording room, divulging their innermost vulnerabilities as they laboriously layer notes to achieve music that transcends the confines of time. The immaculate timing and harmonious interplay among the band members become more pronounced in the second-act closing number, “Masquerade,” where their collective creative energy burgeons to celestial heights. However, we witness their songs only in fragments, emphasizing the intricate process of artistic transformation that lies behind every masterpiece.
Underpinned by the exceptional thematic coherence achieved through Ryan Rumery’s masterful sound design and Enver Chakartash’s evocative costumes, this production of Stereophonic reveals the delicate layers that contribute to its transcendent whole. Skillfully helmed by director Daniel Aukin, the staging not only amplifies the play’s heightened reality but also elevates the interplay of its well-observed characters, creating a richly satisfying multitrack production that resonates deeply in the viewer’s senses.
Stereophonic, a monumental achievement in contemporary theater, is a testament to the extraordinary vision of its creators. With their finely attuned craftsmanship, every element of this production works in harmonious tandem, resulting in an unmissable theatrical experience that pushes the boundaries of music-infused storytelling.
