Stereophonic is a dramatic stage play with music written by American playwright David Adjmi. Music written for the play was composed by Will Butler from the indie rock band Arcade Fire.[1]
The play follows a fictional 1970s rock band on the cusp of superstardom as they struggle through recording their new album.[2]
Background
Adjmi and Butler began working on the piece in 2014, with the project being workshopped in 2018 at the Sundance Institute Theatre Lab.[3] Adjmi wanted to create a piece of theatre that felt like the audience was watching a documentary unfolding on stage, while avoiding the piece becoming a full-blown musical. The set design includes real music recording equipment.[4][5]
Production history
Off-Broadway (2023)
The play premiered Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons on October 6, 2023, with an official opening of October 26. It was named Best Play of the Year by the Washington Post, and "hands-down the best American play since the pandemic" by former New York Times critic Ben Brantley. Stereophonic was named Best of 2023 by numerous publications, including the New Yorker, New York Magazine, The New York Times, The Wrap, and Time Out New York. After multiple extensions, the play closed on December 17, 2023, directed by Daniel Aukin.[6]
Broadway (2024)
In January 2024, it was announced the play would transfer to Broadway in Spring 2024 for a limited engagement. The show began previews on April 2, 2024 and officially opened on Broadway on April 19 at the John Golden Theatre. The production was scheduled to run until July 7, 2024 before being extended to August 18, 2024.[7][8][9]
Original cast and characters
| Character | Off-Broadway[6] | Broadway |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2024 | |
| Reg | Will Brill | |
| Diana | Sarah Pidgeon | |
| Simon | Chris Stack | |
| Peter | Tom Pecinka | |
| Holly | Juliana Canfield | |
| Charlie | Andrew R. Butler | |
| Grover | Eli Gelb | |
Musical numbers
Although the play is not a musical, several 1970's inspired original songs are played live in the set's "studio" as the play depicts the recording of the album. In the Off-Broadway and Broadway version, the actors themselves supply all the vocals and play all the music, though many in the cast had to learn to play their instrument for this production. Will Brill had never even held a bass before being cast as the band's bassist. [10]
An original cast recording of the music from Stereophonic will be released digitally May 10, 2024 and will be available in physical media beginning June 14, 2024. [11]
Awards and nominations
2023 Off-Broadway Production
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 |
Lucille Lortel Awards | Outstanding Play | David Adjmi | Pending | [12] |
| Outstanding Director | Daniel Aukin | Pending | |||
| Outstanding Featured Performer in a Play | Eli Gelb | Pending | |||
| Outstanding Scenic Design | David Zinn | Pending | |||
| Outstanding Costume Design | Enver Chakartash | Pending | |||
| Outstanding Lighting Design | Jiyoun Chang | Pending | |||
| Outstanding Sound Design | Ryan Rumery | Pending |
2024 Broadway production
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 |
Drama League Awards | Outstanding Play | David Adjmi | Pending | [13] |
| Outstanding Direction of a Play | Daniel Aukin | Pending | |||
| Distinguished Performance | Eli Gelb | Pending | |||
| Sarah Pidgeon | Pending | ||||
| Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Broadway Play | David Adjmi | Pending | [14] | |
| Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play | Sarah Pidgeon | Pending | |||
| Outstanding Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | Will Butler | Pending | |||
| Outstanding Direction of a Play (Broadway of Off-Broadway) | Daniel Aukin | Pending | |||
| Outstanding Scenic Design (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | David Zinn | Pending | |||
| Outstanding Costume Design | Enver Chakartash | Pending | |||
| Outstanding Sound Design | Ryan Rumery | Pending |
References
- ^ "Stereophonic : Playwrights Horizons". playwrightshorizons.org. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
- ^ ""Stereophonic" duo David Adjmi and Will Butler break down writing a behind-the-scenes drama about 1970s rock stars". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
- ^ Desk, BWW News. "Stage Version of Ta-Nehisi Coates Book, David Adjmi's STEREOPHONIC and More Among 2017 Sundance Institute Theatre Lab Selections". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
- ^ "How the Company Cast Recording Documentary Inspired Stereophonic".
- ^ "Review: In 'Stereophonic,' the Rock Revolution Will Be Recorded". New York Times.
- ^ a b "Stereophonic". www.iobdb.com. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
- ^ McHenry, Jackson (2023-10-29). "Stereophonic Goes Its Own Way, and Finds Its Groove". Vulture. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
- ^ [1]
- ^ "Stereophonic on Broadway Extends Through Mid August 2024". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
- ^ Soloski, Alexis. "How 'Stereophonic' Made Musicians Out of Actors". Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ [2]
- ^ "Wet Brain Leads 2024 Lucille Lortel Award Nominations; Read the Complete List". Playbill. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
- ^ "2024 Drama League Award Nominations announced". Theatermania. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
- ^ "Dead Outlaw, Stereophonic Lead 2024 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations". Theatermania. Retrieved April 23, 2024.