RÖCKËT STÄHR'S DEATH OF A ROCKSTAR Cine-Concert World Premiere Announced At Joe's Pub

This summer, Joe's Pub will host the first-ever live performances of Röckët Stähr's Death of a Rockstar on June 23, 2026, and July 7, 2026.

As the 90-minute animated film plays, Stähr and a five-piece band of Broadway veterans and guest vocalists will perform the entire rock opera live. Part Tommy, part Jesus Christ Superstar, with a little Hedwig and the Angry Inch thrown in for good measure, Röckët Stähr's Death of a Rockstar is set in the year 2164, when rock 'n' roll (and other things that might awaken tendencies toward individuality) has been outlawed, and a band of underground rebels clone a rock star and send him on a guerrilla tour to blast a docile society back to life.

Co-directed by Broadway veterans Johanna McKeon (associate director of Chess, Swept Away, Funny Girl, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, American Idiot, and more) and Austin Regan (associate director of A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical, Head Over Heels, On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, assistant director of Everyday Rapture, American Idiot), and produced by artist manager Ryan Gentles, Stähr will be joined on stage by bassist Joan Chew (Lez Zeppelin, SIX), guitarists Angus Clark (Trans Siberian Orchestra, Rock of Ages) and Rob Bailey (Movin' Out), and drummer David Richman, co-host of the popular Punk Rock Karaoke series at Arlene's Grocery.

Styling is by Andrea Lauer (Melissa Etheridge: My Window, Bring It On: The Musical, American Idiot), and casting by Jason Thinger (Chess, Just In Time, Pirates! The Penzance Musical, Sunset Boulevard, Merrily We Roll Along, and more).

“This is the dystopian, camp, shredding, pitch-perfect Yellow Submarine-meets-Zardoz rock cornucopia that I didn't know I needed. It tickles my Gen X funny bone to the core,” McKeon shares. “It's an honor to take Röckët Stähr's Death of a Rockstar on its first steps from film to stage with this stellar team of beloved rock opera veterans.” 

“Hearing these songs and watching the film took me back to my first time seeing classic shows like Jesus Christ Superstar and Hedwig and the Angry Inch, but with a completely new and original song book and storyline, which this genre was begging for. It's an injection from a fresh voice which feels at once nostalgic and altogether original,” adds Gentles.

“After seeing the buzz from the thousands and thousands of fans that Röckët had amassed online through DIY sales of the DVD and vinyl soundtrack, it was an absolute no-brainer to push him towards the first step of developing the film for the stage.  This iteration is an exciting and limited chance to experience the film in conjunction with top live musicians performing the soundtrack for an intimate audience.

”Building the world of Röckët Stähr's Death of a Rockstar has been a 19-year labor of love. Not only did Stähr write the story and 26-song soundtrack for the film, but he also played all guitar, piano, and bass parts, arranged the strings, horns, and winds (all performed by live musicians), and sang every part, with the exception of the rebellious runaway named Ronnie, performed by Abby Ahmad, who will be reprising her role at the Cine-Concert Experience. Then, with no prior animation experience, Stähr set about animating the entire film, which he then self-released and distributed.  

2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats

Best Lead Performer in a Play - Top 3

1. Daniel Radcliffe - Every Brilliant Thing

29.4% of votes

2. Nathan Lane - Death of a Salesman

12.5% of votes

3. Ayo Edebiri - Proof

6.7% of votes

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