Good News! THE HEART OF ROCK AND ROLL, the new musical comedy inspired by the chart-topping anthems of HUEY LEWIS AND THE NEWS, is coming to Broadway.
Set in 1987 and jam-packed with HUEY LEWIS megahits like “Do You Believe in Love,” “Hip to Be Square,” and “If This Is It,” THE HEART OF ROCK AND ROLL centers on a couple of twenty-somethings on the cusp of their futures—Bobby, a rock and roller who’s traded his guitar for the corporate ladder and his boss Cassandra who’s always put the family business first. When they both get a second shot at their dreams, it’ll take “The Power of Love” and a little help from their friends to figure out what kind of life they really want.
THE HEART OF ROCK AND ROLL is a smart, funny, heartfelt throwback to the era of big feelings, classic rom-coms, and music that really “Stuck With You.”
So, ok, I won’t call “The Heart of Rock and Roll” poppy. If not poppy, it’s certainly predictable, a dose of 1980s nostalgia with a by-the-numbers plot that would not be out of place in a conventional 1950s musical comedy. But for what it is, the show has its moments. Cott gives another reliable central performance, surrounded by stand-out supporting players. Lorin Latarro’s choreography rocks, and hops, and sometimes completely flips (there are acrobatic dancers in the ensemble.) In between the catchy tunes, eye-rolling contrivance battles it out with cleverness; sometimes, clever wins.
Ideal fodder, then, for a modestly scaled and warm-hearted jukebox show that might prove to be one of the sleeper hits of the season. That’s thanks to an inestimably witty book with plenty of hard laughs and a suite of winning lead performances under director Gordon Greenberg.
General Rush
Price: $45
Where: James Earl Jones Theatre box office
When: When the box office opens on the day of the performance.
Limit: Two per customer.
Information: Subject to daily availability.
Digital Lottery:
Price: $49
Where: https://rush.telecharge.com/.
When: Entries begin at 12:00 am one day before the performance, and winners are drawn that same day at 10:00 am and 3:00 pm.
Limit: Two per customer
Information: Subject to availability.
2018 | San Diego, CA (Regional) |
The Old Globe's World Premiere Production San Diego, CA (Regional) |
2024 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2024 | BroadwayWorld Awards | Best Choreography | Lorin Latarro |
2024 | BroadwayWorld Awards | Best Ensemble | The Heart of Rock and Roll |
2024 | BroadwayWorld Awards | Best Featured Performer in a Musical | Tamika Lawrence |
2024 | BroadwayWorld Awards | Best Orchestrations | Brian Usifer |
2024 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Choreography | Lorin Latarro |
2024 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Production of a Musical | The Heart of Rock and Roll |
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