Stereophonic Review: A Raw 1976 Rock Drama At Hollywood Pantages

Review by Joy Parris-Stereophonic written by David Adjmi and directed by Daniel Aukin, and featuring original music by Will Butler (Arcade Fire) at the Hollywood Pantages (running now through January 2, 2026). It feels like getting a backstage pass to the messy, magical moment when a band is trying to turn raw sound into something legendary. Set in 1976, the story follows a group of musicians deep in the album-making process—equal parts creative high, emotional crash, and personality clash.

What really makes this production land is how clearly it shows the human side of the music business. Each band member brings a totally different vibe, and watching those personalities bounce off each other is both entertaining and surprisingly relatable. The show doesn’t just romanticize the “rock-and-roll dream”—it digs into the personal baggage and pressure that arise when people are exhausted, ambitious, and stuck in close quarters, trying to create something that matters.

And the performances are a huge part of why it works so well. The cast is exceptionally talented, but more than that, they’re specific—you can feel the little shifts in power, the insecurity hiding under bravado, the moments when someone is trying to hold it together while their whole world is wobbling. Even when the characters are being complex, the actors make you understand why. They pull you into the tension without making it feel melodramatic, and they also deliver the lighter moments in a way that feels earned—like the kind of humor that comes out when people are stressed, sleep-deprived, and still chasing a great idea.

By the end, you walk away with a genuine appreciation for how much work—and emotional toll—performers endure behind the scenes to give us the music we love. But you also leave thinking about the creative process itself, and why stories like this matter. There’s something powerful about getting an inside view of what it takes to make something that’s meant to last. Watching people strive for work that will stand the test of time—while they’re battling ego, fear, doubt, and the pressure to “get it right”—makes you respect the craft on a deeper level. It reminds you that timeless art usually isn’t born from one perfect moment of inspiration. It’s built through countless imperfect takes, hard conversations, and the stubborn decision to keep going until the work finally becomes what it’s capable of being.

If you’re catching it at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre (6233 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028), go in ready for a show that’s not just about making an album—it’s about what it costs to make art with other people when everyone’s carrying their own storm.

• For more information, visit www.StereophonicPlay.com.
• facebook.com/stereophonicplay  
• www.instagram.com/stereophonicplay  

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