By Eric George Tauber
SAN DIEGO — Just hearing the title, The Heart of Rock & Roll, brought back memories of high school dances and singing Happy to be stuck with you to my girlfriend. And judging by the packed house on a Sunday night, I was in good company.
“If you’re not supposed to be here, where are you meant to be then?”
How many of us actually became what we wanted to be when we grew up? Or did growing up push us into becoming something else?
The Old Globe has brought 80s Classic Rock star Huey Lewis to musical theatre. The story by Tyler Mitchell and Jonathan A. Abrams is a fun rom-com. You know that the guy is going to get the girl in the end, but they still manage to pull a few fast ones.
Matt Doyle sparkles with infectious, all-American boy energy with a heavy dose of chutzpah as Bobby Kearns. The lead singer in a rock band, he loves what he does. But at thirty-five, he’s still playing dive bars, not stadia. Time to get a “real job.” This brings him to the Stone Box Company where It’s Hip to be Square. Though no longer a rocker, Bobby is determined to be a somebody, climbing up the corporate ladder and into the arms of the boss’ daughter, Cassandra.
The Great Lakes Shipping Convention brings everyone back to Chicago where old flames are rekindled. The shticks they pull to make mundane necessities like boxes and packing peanuts eye-catching are a hoot. And tap dancing on a giant sheet of bubble wrap is a sight you won’t forget.
Opportunities for new success put both Bobby and Cassandra at crossroads. Do they go back to the risky lives the loved, but left behind or take the safe and stable roads laid out before them? Both look promising. The only mistake is looking back.
Paige Faure is fun to watch as the vivacious and snappy Paige, the college friend who tries to rekindle Cassandra’s party-girl spirit. Billy Harrigan Tighe is the quintessential old flame as Tucker: handsome, talented and quite full of himself. His well-dressed quartet, the Undertones, really brings out the acoustic harmonies in 50s style doo-wop.
Orville Mendoza as Fjord –the Finnish-Mongolian business mogul- comes off like a comic book villain. Outrageously weird -and gay enough to make Bobby uncomfortable in the sauna- he knows he’s holding the cards as his contract must be wooed.
Not to be missed are F. Michael Haynie and Lucas Papaelias as the guitarists Glenn and JJ. I hope they do more work together. Their mixture of rivalry and camaraderie has all the makings for a classic comedy duo.
Bravo to Patrice Covington as Roz. Bringing a Motown soul born of a deep inner strength, she steps out of the shadows and really brings the house down. And hats off to choreographer Lorin Latarro for bringing elements together into an organic whole in every dance number.
My guest needed a night out and this was just what the doctor ordered. If you need to break out of your box, howl with laughter and feel The Power of Love, come to The Heart of Rock & Roll at the Old Globe, playing through Oct 21.
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Tauber is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts. He may be contacted via eric.tauber@sdjewishworld.com