With a runtime of two hours and 30 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission, The Heart of Rock and Roll is currently playing at the James Earl Jones Theatre (138 West 48th Street) in New York City.
Despite the absence of Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals on Broadway in 2024, two shows featuring the music of Huey Lewis & The News have emerged. Surprisingly, The Heart of Rock and Roll has become a standout success, while Back to the Future: The Musical has not achieved the same level of acclaim.
The Heart of Rock and Roll, directed by Gordon Greenberg, stands out as a refreshing and entertaining comedy amidst the more serious offerings on Broadway. It marks one of only two new musicals in the past year to be purely comedic, making it a unique and delightful experience.
The show’s catchy hits, including “Back In Time,” “The Power of Love,” and “Hip To Be Square,” are cleverly woven into Jonathan A. Abrams’ witty script, which pokes fun at corporate culture and everyday life. The result is a hilarious and relatable story that will leave audiences laughing out loud.
Corey Cott delivers a charismatic performance as Bobby, a factory worker with aspirations of becoming a sales executive. His resemblance to Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing adds to the show’s nostalgic appeal.
The choreography by Lorin Latarro is equally impressive, with a memorable tap dance sequence performed on bubble wrap that evokes both Anything Goes and Monty Python’s iconic coconut routine.
As Bobby’s journey unfolds, he encounters a cast of colorful characters, including John Dossett as the factory boss, McKenzie Kurtz as his ambitious daughter, Tamika Lawrence as the HR director, and Orville Mendoza as the eccentric Swedish furniture store founder.
The romance between Bobby and Cassandra blossoms amidst the chaos of a business conference, while Bobby grapples with his desire to reunite with his old rock band, The Loop. The plot, reminiscent of classic 1980s movies, adds to the show’s charm and relatability.
The set design by Derek McLane transforms the stage from a factory to a luxurious hotel to a concert venue, creating a vibrant and immersive visual experience. The talented cast, combining rock, pop, and musical theater influences, delivers knockout performances that showcase the infectious energy of the 1980s.
While most musicians who license their music for Broadway shows typically opt for biographical treatments, The Heart of Rock and Roll embraces the inherent kitsch of Huey Lewis’ upbeat songbook. This unexpected pairing, combined with the relatable story of a working-class hero, makes the show a unique and thoroughly enjoyable theatrical experience.
