Ask any rock fan about what it is that draws them to their favorite musical genre, and they’ll likely tell you that rock embodies a certain kind of freedom—from suffocating social norms, rules and rigid establishments and institutions. It’s no surprise, then, that rock has a starring role in San Jose Stage Company’s latest production, Rock ‘N’ Roll, the sweeping, passionate play by renowned Czech-born British playwright Tom Stoppard, playing through March 7. 

Couched in history, this Tony Award-nominated play spans the period from the late 1960s to 1990, tracing the democratic movement that emerged in Eastern Bloc Czechoslovakia in 1968 and exploring the significance of rock during that time. Set in Cambridge, England, and Prague, the play contrasts the ideologies of a young Czech Ph.D. student and his British professor—the former believes in democracy and loves rock ‘n’ roll, while the latter subscribes to Soviet Marxism.

Boasting a fantastic soundtrack with selections from The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, John Lennon, U2 and more, the play concludes that, in the end, all that remains after 22 years of political turbulence is love and, of course, rock ‘n’ roll. 

WHEN:
Thru March 7: Wed-Thurs, 7:30pm; Fri-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm.

WHERE:
The Stage, 490 S. First St., San Jose

MORE INFO:
408/283-7142; www.sanjosestage.com