Rock ‘n’ Roll

The Huntington Theatre Company presents the New England premiere production of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Tom Stoppard’s critically-acclaimed hit play about history, love, and rock ‘n’ roll music. Directed by Carey Perloff, this is a co-production with American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) of San Francisco.

Based on actual events, Rock ‘n’ Roll is a tale of Prague’s inspiring political and rock revolution. It follows the passions and politics of Max, a Marxist professor in Cambridge and Jan, his Rolling Stones-obsessed protégé fighting for freedom in Soviet-dominated Prague. The story begins in 1968 – while the U.S. is in the midst of a violent struggle for civil rights, a presidential election, and an unpopular war, Czechoslovakian Secretary of the Communist Party Alexander Dubcek ushers in “Prague Spring,” an all-too-brief period of liberalization and reform of Czech society. When music group The Velvet Underground and other subversives begin to threaten Communist authority, the Soviets swiftly overturn Dubcek’s reforms and imprison many artists and intellectuals. Jan’s passion for democracy and music continues until 1990 when Prague’s Velvet Revolution overthrows the Communist government. Stoppard’s sweeping drama spans two countries, three generations, and 22 turbulent years, exploring the unique intersection of politics and art.