WE WILL ROCK YOU to Open at San Jose Stage
San Jose Stage Company will present the Queen musical with previews preceding the official opening night.
San Jose Stage Company will present We Will Rock You, the musical featuring more than 20 of Queen’s biggest hits, including ‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’ ‘Somebody to Love,’ ‘We Are the Champions,’ and ‘Don’t Stop Me Now.’ Directed by Will Detlefsen, the high-octane production opens in June at The Stage. Performances will run June 3 - June 28, 2026.
Set in a futuristic world where individuality is outlawed and live music is forbidden, We Will Rock You follows a group of rebels fighting to bring back the power of rock. Driven by iconic anthems like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Somebody to Love,” and “Don’t Stop Me Now,” the show is a celebration of freedom, self-expression, and the enduring spirit of music.
Originally written by Ben Elton and produced by Robert De Niro and Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor, We Will Rock You premiered in London’s Dominion Theatre in 2002, where it ran for more than 12 years. It became one of the longest-running musicals in West End history. Since then, the show has been seen by over 16 million people across more than 20 countries, earning a passionate cult following in both the UK and the US. Its mix of rock anthems, irreverent humor, and audience-driven energy has made it a favorite for new generations of
theatre-goers and Queen fans alike. The original production received the Laurence Olivier Audience Award for Most Popular Show, cementing its place as a global theatrical phenomenon.
“There is a reason Queen’s music has outlived trends, genres and generations. Queen wrote songs that made everyone in the stadium feel like they belonged to something bigger than themselves. That's exactly what live theatre does at its best and exactly what our audiences need right now. We Will Rock You reminds us that community matters, individuality matters, and your voice is always worth fighting for.” — Randall King, Artistic Director
The cast is led by Sean Okuniewicz* as Galileo and Erin Rose Solorio* as Scaramouche, alongside Z Hansen as Brit, Amanda Nguyen* as Meat, Nicholas Tabora* as Killer Queen, Joel Roster* as Pop, and Heather Mae Steffen as Khashoggi. They are joined by Edie Flores, Raven Vujevich, Christopher Rueda, Mia Nunes, Ace Dimalanta, and Aniyah Adderly.
Under the direction of Will Detlefsen, this production leans into the show’s theatricality and spectacle, delivering a bold, high-energy experience that invites audiences to rediscover the joy of live performance—loud, unapologetic, and shared.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be making my San Jose Stage debut with We Will Rock You. It’s exciting to dive into a piece that feels both wildly futuristic and uncannily of the moment—this hilarious, high-voltage celebration of individual artistic expression and music hits with a prescience that’s hard to ignore. We’re honoring the legacy of Queen in a way that I hope will make longtime fans proud, while also welcoming audiences who may be experiencing this music for the first time. Bringing this show to life here, with such a vibrant community of artists and audiences, is truly electrifying. Long live rock ’n roll!” — Will Detlefsen, Director
This production features a creative team led by Detlefsen, with choreography by Jenni Hong, music direction by Benjamin Belew, stage management by Iliana Karbowski* with assistant stage manager Stephany Puentes*, scenic and video design by Justin Humphres, costume design by Pamela Rodriguez-Montero, lighting design by Maurice Vercouture, and sound design by Steve Schoenbeck. Additional creative support includes scenic paint by Bill Vujevich, wigs by Ashley Garlick, Zimona Zahava, costume design associate, assistant costume design by Abhiraj Muhar, assistant lighting designer and board operator Kiyomi Muntz, and master electrician Aaron Gin.
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