Stereophonic mines the agony and the ecstasy of creation as it zooms in on a music studio in 1976. Here, an up-and-coming rock band recording a new album finds itself suddenly on the cusp of superstardom. The ensuing pressures could spark their breakup — or their breakthrough. Written by David Adjmi, directed by Daniel Aukin, and featuring original music by Arcade Fire’s Will Butler, Stereophonic invites the audience to immerse themselves — with fly-on-the-wall intimacy — in the powder keg process of a band on the brink of blowing up.
In his Critic’s Pick review, Jesse Green of The New York Times exclaimed, “The play, Adjmi’s best so far, is as rich and lustrous as they come. You could even call it platinum,” while praising Aukin’s “relentlessly compelling production.” Jackson McHenry of New York Magazine enthused, “If you’ve recently tried to sate yourself with imitation-crab rock-history dramatizations, you’ll find that Stereophonic is, refreshingly, the real thing.” And David Cote of The Observer, lauded Stereophonic “an instant classic”.
Awards and Nominations
Best Play – Winner
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play – Will Brill – Winner
Best Direction of a Play – Daniel Aukin – Winner
Best Scenic Design of a Play – David Zinn – Winner
Best Sound Design of a Play – Ryan Rumery – Winner
Outstanding New Broadway Play – David Adjmi – Winner
Outstanding Direction of a Play (Broadway or Off-Broadway) – Daniel Aukin – Winner
Outstanding Scenic Design (Broadway or Off-Broadway) – David Zinn – Winner
Outstanding Sound Design – Ryan Rumery – Winner
Outstanding Play – David Adjmi, Goodman Theatre -Winner
Outstanding Direction – Daniel Aukin, Playwrights Horizons – Winner
Outstanding Music in a Play – Will Butler – Winner
Outstanding Sound Design of a Play – Ryan Rumery – Winner
Outstanding Direction of a Play – Daniel Aukin – Winner
Outstanding Production of a Play – Winner