Three things differentiate this jukebox musical from others of its ilk: 1. This is not the story of its songwriter’s life (Huey Lewis). 2. It manages to feature predominantly familiar (fun) songs in plot context where they make sense, which is something of a miracle. 3. Like Lewis, the musical is not self-important. It winks.
John Dossett (Chuck Stone), McKenzie Kurtz (Cassandra Stone)
Bobby Stivic (boy next door Corey Cott) works on the line of a Milwaukee box manufacturing plant, Stone Incorporated. John Dossett is palpably sweet, sympathetic owner Chuck Stone. McKenzie Kurtz, a Julia- Duffy, Annaleigh-Ashford type comedienne plays his daughter Cassandra/Cass, a facts-and-figures nerd. Bobby comes up with a money-making scheme on behalf of the company. “I wanna be someone come what may!” he exclaims. Aw (Midwestern) shucks.
Billy Harrigan Tighe (Tucker), McKenzie Kurtz (Cassandra), Zoe Jensen (Paige) and the Company
His idea necessitates attendance at the annual industry convention in Chicago. Bobby convinces best friend Roz (Tamika Lawrence), head of HR, to let him share her room. (She “plays for the other team.”) Lawrence is a wry presence who sings up a storm. He approaches potential large scale customer Otto Fjord (Orville Mendoza- droll) , based on the CEO of Ikea, and is turned down flat. But lo and behold, the Swede is a sentimental guy. He caves to “Do You Believe in Love?”
Corey Cott (Bobby Stivic) and McKenzie Kurtz (Cassandra Stone)
The hero enlists Cass to cement a deal. Where they do so is a hoot. There are impediments to both romance and business, however. Bobby has competition from rich, cocky Tucker (Billy Harrigan Tighe, a loose-limbed Ken doll unafraid to play absurd). A musical number with a capella group the Princeton Tigers arrives comic and creatively choreographed jumping on bubble wrap. Tucker went to college with Cass and is determined to resume their relationship on the marriage track. She’s ambivalently swept along, dancing with fish-out-of-water awkwardness.
Bobby visits the band he walked out on: JJ (Raymond J. Lee), Eli (John-Michael Lyles) and Glenn (F. Michael Haynie). His appearance happens to coincide with the group’s getting its big chance at the local hot club, but they haven’t been able to replace him. “You wrote the songs, you should be singing them. It’s only one night!” Famous last words. When the band is well received, there are two appealing futures beckoning, each with its own, very different rewards and sacrifices. Contracts are signed.
Corey Cott (Bobby Stivic) and McKenzie Kurtz (Cassandra Stone) and the Company
The story revolves around dreams – delayed, sacrificed, met, not a bad premise for a musical. Songs are goodhearted and won’t blast you out of your seat. The cast solid. An enjoyable, undemanding evening.
Also featuring Zoe Jensen as Cass’s old college friend Paige and Josh Breckenridge as her husband Wyatt.
Director Gordon Greenberg offers nuance in what could’ve been bland characters, skillfully mining humor. Choreography (Lorin Latarro) is refreshingly a combination of Broadway and the era-I’m hip-hopped out.
Derek McLane’s set is often overdone. Audio speakers make a fine graphic, but the colored – what are they pipes? – make no sense; patterned proscenium arches don’t add. Visual imagining of Cass’s life with Tucker is appealingly fanciful.
Jen Caprio could give lessons in costuming. Not only is her clothing period perfect, but it’s flattering and colorful adding lightness to the tale.
Photos by Matthew Murphy
The Heart of Rock and Roll
An original stage musical inspired by the songs of Huey Lewis and The News
Book by Jonathan A. Abrams
Story by Tyler Mitchell and Jonathan A. Abrams
Music Supervised, Arranged and Orchestrated by Brian Usifer
Choreography – Lorin Latarro
Directed by Gordon Greenberg
James Earl Jones Theatre
138 West 48th Street
