“The Heart of Rock and Roll” will play its final Broadway performance on June 23. “The Heart of Rock and Roll” started previews on March 29 and opened on April 22 at the James Earl Jones Theatre. By closing, the production will have played 24 previews and 72 performances.
Set against a backdrop of songs from the Huey Lewis and the News catalog, “The Heart of Rock and Roll” follows rocker-turned-corporate professional Bobby, who, alongside his boss Cassandra, examine their paths as they get a second chance at their dreams. Featuring a book by Jonathan A. Abrams and a story by Abrams and Tyler Mitchell, the musical is directed by Gordon Greenberg and choreographed by Lorin Latarro. “The Heart of Rock and Roll” played its world premiere at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre in 2018. An original cast album was released digitally on June 14.
“The Heart of Rock and Roll” was the winner of Actors’ Equity Association ACCA Award for Outstanding Broadway Chorus. Additionally, Latarro was nominated for Outstanding Choreography for both the Drama Desk Awards and the Chita Rivera Awards, the latter of which also gave a nod for Outstanding Ensemble. The musical also received a nomination for Outstanding Production of a Musical at the Drama League Awards.
The company of “Heart of Rock and Roll” is lead by Corey Cott as Bobby, McKenzie Kurtz as Cassandra, John Dossett as Stone, Josh Breckenridge as Wyatt, F. Michael Haynie as Glenn, Zoe Jensen as Paige, Tamika Lawrence as Roz, Raymond J. Lee as JJ, John-Michael Lyles as Eli, Orville Mendoza as Fjord and Billy Harrigan Tighe as Tucker. Completing the cast are ensemble members Mike Baerga, Tommy Bracco, TyNia René Brandon, Olivia Cece, Taylor Marie Daniel, Autumn Guzzardi, Lindsay Joan, Ross Lekites, Robin Masella, Michael Olaribigbe, Kevin Pariseau and Robert Pendilla, as well as swings Joe Moeller, Jennifer Noble, Fredric Rodriguez Odgaard and Leah Read. Casting is by Peter Van Dam of Tara Rubin Casting.
“The Heart of Rock and Roll” features scenic design by Derek McLane, costume design by Jen Caprio, lighting design by Japhy Weideman, sound design by John Shivers, and hair, wig and makeup design by Nikiya Mathis. Orchestrations, arrangements and music supervision is by Brian Usifer, while Will Van Dyke provides music direction. Justin Scribner serves as production stage manager.
“The Heart of Rock and Roll” is produced by Hunter Arnold, Mitchell and Kayla Greenspan.
