SAN DIEGO — Even The Beatles came from humble beginnings. They rehearsed in the garage of Pete Best, their original drummer, because his mum would let them. But for every band that makes it in show biz, there are 999 that vanish into obscurity. Of all the movies to make the transition from screen to musical theatre stage, Almost Famous is a natural fit. My guest is himself the manager of a Punk band and he said this story makes him cry every time.
As we enter the house, Lester Bangs “the world famous rock critic” (Rob Colletti) meanders through the house kibbitzing with the audience. Salty and abrasive in a charming kind of way, Lester is passionate about the art of rock and unforgiving of any phony commercialism. He’s quite full of himselfeven as he catches a bus back to El Cajon.
“Rock-n-Roll is about belonging.” Casey Likes plays William Miller, a bright-eyed, smooth-cheeked, bullied
nebbish with big dreams and a great love of music. A high school senior at fifteen, he’s wicked smart but physically less developed than his classmates. So he’s desperate for that sense of belonging.
William is trying to get backstage to interview Black Sabbath at San Diego’s Sports Arena, but he’s “not on the list.” So the door gets slammed in his face. An expert groupie, Penny Lane, shows him how to open backstage
doors, making the connection with Stillwater, the opening act. Solea Pfeiffer plays Penny Lane. Tall, svelte and sultry, she knows who she is, what she wants and how to get it. But just under the surface lies a world of pain. And
William is smitten.
Colin Donnell plays Russell, Stillwater’s lead guitar. Living the rock star life of sex, drugs and rock-n-roll, he’s gruff and complicated. It’s a veneer masking deep insecurities and the fear of failure. He also has a thing for
Penny Lane, but doesn’t want his “ex-ex-wife” Leslie to find out. “Watch out when anyone says they trust you. It means they think they own you.”
Dangling the carrot of an exclusive personal interview, Russell convinces William to go on tour with them. But his mom is not okay with that. Every parent can relate, pulling heart-strings as she sings, “You know too little and
I know too much.” She knows a thing or two about the world she wants toshield him from. But all little birds must one day leave the nest.With an offer from none other than Rolling Stone, William becomes their embed journalist, witnessing all of their ups and downs. Fueled by acid and cocaine, there’s plenty of pettiness and friction backstage. And the biggest egos are always the easiest to bruise. Yet nothing brings people together like a sing along. Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” does just that.
Scenic Designer Derek McLane really outdid himself with the airplane in an electrical storm. In the heat of the moment, confessions are made and dark secrets come out. Set up on hydraulics and a gimbal, the actors were tossed about like a ride at 6 Flags.
My only disappointments were important moments from the film that felt downplayed on the stage. For example, William loses his virginity to three “band-aids” in an orgy arranged by Russell. The morning after, he’s
devastated by the loveless emptiness of it. That’s not how he wanted his first time to be.
That aside, Almost Famous is a crazy road trip. There are twists and turns,grand vistas, wild parties and moments of heartache. The music can shake the rafters or hold you like a lover in a slow dance, giving that sense of
belonging we all long for.
Almost Famous is playing at the Old Globe in Balboa Park through October 27.
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Eric George Tauber is a freelancer writer specializing in coverage of the arts. He may be contacted via eric.tauber@sdjewishworld.com