THE HANGOVER REPORT – David Adjmi’s gorgeously nuanced new play STEREOPHONIC bristles with music, authenticity

Eli Gelb and Andrew R. Butler (forefront) in Playwrights Horizons’ production of “Stereophonic” by David Adjmi (photo by Chelcie Parry).

Last night, I caught David Adjmi’s new play Stereophonic at Playwrights Horizons. Set in California recording studios during the mid 1970s, the play depicts the painful creation of a rock album, particularly delving in to the the process and grueling work that goes into making of art vis-à-vis the maintenance of relationships of various varieties – romantic, workplace, friendships. Suffice to say, music plays a central role in the piece, which has been provided by Arcade Fire’s Will Butler.

Stereophonic is a gorgeously nuanced play on nearly every level. Aesthetically, the play calls to mind the works of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Annie Baker in that it doesn’t shy away from incorporating silence and a healthy serving of the mundane into the proceedings. Its depiction of the frustratingly tedious stop-and-start process of recording sessions is believably wrought, emphatically staying clear of the idealized renderings of the music industry portrayed in many a jukebox musical. The same level of bristling authenticity also permeates the rest of the play. Indeed, Stereophonic unfolds organically, letting character development, relationships, and plot points find themselves as they will (a quality lost amongst many new works of theater) – which would explain its three hour running time. The play is a slow burner that takes time to ignite, but it handsomely rewards those that stick with it.

The Playwrights Horizons production has been directed by Daniel Aukin with nods to both intense realism and sleek theatricality (the transitions between scenes in particular are stylishly handled). As for the ensemble cast, they’re absolutely fantastic, imbuing their characters with a lived in quality that you’d expect from such a play. As a band, they were utterly convincing, their rapport uncanny as they performed Butler’s top tier songs with the cool confidence and star power of rock and roll’s next big thing.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

STEREOPHONIC
Off-Broadway, Play
Playwrights Horizons
3 hours (including one intermission)
Through December 17

Categories: Off-Broadway, Theater

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