ROCK N' ROLL at Seattle's ACT

ACT brings Tom Stoppard's latest thought provoking play, "Rock n' Roll" to life this October in a mesmerizing production.  The show is Stoppard's look at one family during the turbulent 1960's through the 1990's.  The story centers on Jan, an idealistic, rock obsessed young man who leaves his position studying with a Marxists professor in Cambridge to return home to Prague during the Prague Spring to try and rescue his Mother and Socialism itself.  It's a fascinating look at this harsh time in the history of the Czech Republic (where even listening to the wrong music could get you thrown in jail) interwoven with a beautiful story of love spanning 22 years.  All of which is set to the music of such Rock n' Roll radicals as The Rolling Stones, Syd Barrett (with and without Pink Floyd), The Beatles and The Doors.

The cast at ACT manages Stoppard's usual witty and engaging dialogue with ease and turns in a stunning ensemble performance.  Matthew Floyd Miller (who starred in ACT's brilliant production of "The Pillowman") turns in a winning performance as Jan.  He moves from time period to time period with such grace that you hardly notIce The subtle changes in his character over time.  Denis Arndt plays Max, the Marxist Professor who is trying to deal with a very ill wife, a free spirited daughter and an oppressed student and friend while the world is crumbling around him.  Arndt manages this with humor and style.  It's no wonder Seattle theaters keep asking him back.  And we have Seattle favorite and ACT regular Anne Allgood playing a dual role as Eleanor, Max's dying wife, at the beginning of the play and the older Esme, Max's daughter, at the end.  I have long been a fan of Allgood's work as she always turns in such varied and scintillating performances.  From "Miss Witherspoon" to "The Women" to "Little Women" to "Das Barbecu", she never fails to impress.  And here is by no means an exception.  She knocks the audience out in two very independent and stirring performances.  She had me on the verge of both happy and sad tears several times.  If Allgood is in a play, you don't want to miss it.

ACT's Artictic Director, Kurt Beatie, takes the helm as director of the show and flawlessly keeps the pace moving from one time period to the next.  Coupled with a wonderfully rich set design by Matthew Smucker, "Rock n' Roll" is a fine way to wind down ACT's season.  So whether you're more into the political angle of Stoppard's piece or the moving story of very human and lovely people (or both) you're in for a rockin' night out.

"Rock 'n Roll" plays at Seattle's ACT through November 8^th.  For tickets or information, contact the ACT box office at 206-292-7676 or visit them online at www.acttheatre.org.