The ability of music to unlock the deepest longings of the soul, to connect to human psyche on an utterly abstract level, and to unite kindred spirits is explored in ACT’s first production of the season—Rock ‘n’ Roll, directed by the Theater’s Artistic Director, Carey Perloff. The playwright’s own life story—a Czechoslovakian Jewish family fleeing the Nazis, living in the exotic lands before becoming English, with little Tomas Straussler emerging as a world-renowned Tom Stoppard—is loosely reflected in the main character’s transformation from a Czech native into an English schoolboy. Jan (Manoel Felciano) contemplates on his luck, acknowledging that his dual allegiance allows him to escape a purely English fate of growing up “moderately enthusiastic,” treating foreigners with a “mother-superiorly kindness,” and basically, never giving a damn about what’s happening elsewhere. When a real-life Czech band, The Plastic People of the Universe ends up in jail, a rock ‘n’ roll fan Jan realizes that in his Soviet-occupied Motherland even the most abstract of arts becomes politically dangerous by the virtue of being free. His life changes drastically as he returns to his native land, but his character remains intact, allowing him to reconnect with those he left behind—a Communist Cambridge professor, Max (Jack Willis) and a muse of his youth Esme (older—Rene Augesen). The latter also plays Max’s wife, Eleanor, who is slowly dying of cancer. The spouses’ discussions on the nature of mind vs. body are some of the best-written dialogs, enhanced by great acting. Esme (younger) is played by Summer Serafin as well as Esme’s daughter Alice in the next generation. When a play spans a lifetime, it’s bound to be nostalgic. When it contains bits and pieces of an author’s life, it can’t be anything but bittersweet, compassionate, and deeply humane. Rock ‘n’ Roll is not Tom Stoppard you know—not of Rosencrantz and Gildenstern Are Dead, not of the Travesties—this crowd pleaser leaves out irony for the sake of deep emotions, it offers a balmy embrace of great memories for the grateful… still alive. As a famed Russian rock star puts it, rock ‘n’ roll is dead, but we are not yet. The show is superbly directed and staged (scenery by Douglas W. Schmidt) with a soundtrack of iconic rock ‘n’ roll music. Runs through October 18 at 415 Geary St., San Francisco. For tickets, call 415-749-2228, or visit http://www.act-sf.org/Photo by Kevin Berne.Nostalgic Rock ‘n’ Roll Draws In Silver-Haired Crowd at ACT
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The ability of music to unlock the deepest longings of the soul, to connect to human psyche on an utterly abstract level, and to unite kindred spirits is explored in ACT’s first production of the season—Rock ‘n’ Roll, directed by the Theater’s Artistic Director, Carey Perloff. The playwright’s own life story—a Czechoslovakian Jewish family fleeing the Nazis, living in the exotic lands before becoming English, with little Tomas Straussler emerging as a world-renowned Tom Stoppard—is loosely reflected in the main character’s transformation from a Czech native into an English schoolboy. Jan (Manoel Felciano) contemplates on his luck, acknowledging that his dual allegiance allows him to escape a purely English fate of growing up “moderately enthusiastic,” treating foreigners with a “mother-superiorly kindness,” and basically, never giving a damn about what’s happening elsewhere. When a real-life Czech band, The Plastic People of the Universe ends up in jail, a rock ‘n’ roll fan Jan realizes that in his Soviet-occupied Motherland even the most abstract of arts becomes politically dangerous by the virtue of being free. His life changes drastically as he returns to his native land, but his character remains intact, allowing him to reconnect with those he left behind—a Communist Cambridge professor, Max (Jack Willis) and a muse of his youth Esme (older—Rene Augesen). The latter also plays Max’s wife, Eleanor, who is slowly dying of cancer. The spouses’ discussions on the nature of mind vs. body are some of the best-written dialogs, enhanced by great acting. Esme (younger) is played by Summer Serafin as well as Esme’s daughter Alice in the next generation. When a play spans a lifetime, it’s bound to be nostalgic. When it contains bits and pieces of an author’s life, it can’t be anything but bittersweet, compassionate, and deeply humane. Rock ‘n’ Roll is not Tom Stoppard you know—not of Rosencrantz and Gildenstern Are Dead, not of the Travesties—this crowd pleaser leaves out irony for the sake of deep emotions, it offers a balmy embrace of great memories for the grateful… still alive. As a famed Russian rock star puts it, rock ‘n’ roll is dead, but we are not yet. The show is superbly directed and staged (scenery by Douglas W. Schmidt) with a soundtrack of iconic rock ‘n’ roll music. Runs through October 18 at 415 Geary St., San Francisco. For tickets, call 415-749-2228, or visit http://www.act-sf.org/Photo by Kevin Berne.
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