On Saturday, Carlsbad’s New Village Arts opened its 25th season with “We Will Rock You,” a jukebox musical featuring 23 songs by the English rock band Queen.
If you’ve never heard of it, you’re not alone. Despite a yearslong run in London’s West End, the musical never crossed the pond for a Broadway run or a U.S. tour. Was the reason that its story was too English? Maybe. Its plot too confusing? Probably. Its style too campy and over the top? Certainly.
But if you grew up in the ’80s watching Queen music videos, then you know over-the-top campiness was as big a part of its late lead singer Freddie Mercury’s essence as his astonishing voice.
As a result, New Village’s production of “We Will Rock You” is best for theatergoers who are coming for the music, not its silly story. Audience members are invited to stomp-stomp-clap with “We Will Rock You,” sing along to portions of “Bohemian Rhapsody” and clap along to “I Want It All.”
Samy Berman, foreground, as Killer Queen and Audrey Ward, on video screen in background, as Khashoggi in New Village Arts’ “We Will Rock You.” (JEDZANT Photography)
The two-hour musical’s humor-laced book was written by British comedian Ben Elton, who has continuously tweaked the script over the years to keep it relevant. The current version has references to AI taking over the world, as well as the names of contemporary music artists and their song lyrics.
The story is set in London in the far future, where the fascist tech firm Globalsoft has silenced independent thought and forbidden the creation of original music. A group of Bohemian rebels hide in a subterranean lair filled with 1980s rock ‘n’ roll-era relics and plot to achieve “rhapsody” by ending the reign of Globalsoft’s AI-generated villainess Killer Queen.
The Bohemians’ savior is Galileo, a young man who can hear new music in his head, and is accompanied by his girlfriend Scaramouche, who aids in Galileo’s search for the holy ax (guitar) that will save humanity.
The original production of “We Will Rock You” was staged as a huge-cast, live rock ‘n’ roll concert-style show. But New Village’s production, directed by Sheldon Gomabon, has a futuristic sci-fi look achieved almost exclusively with projections created by Jesus Hurtado shown on blank white walls. The cast’s seven actors sing to recorded music.
The look of the show is underwhelming, but thankfully the young actors are enthusiastic and committed. Nobody, except maybe San Diego-raised Adam Lambert, have ever been able to re-create the power, beauty and versatility of Mercury’s voice, but some of these actors do replicate some of his sound in vocal passages.
Power-belter Sarah Ledesma is the cast’s vocal standout as Scaramouche. As Galileo, singer Cooper Orio doesn’t have Mercury’s vocal ferocity, but there’s a sweetness and purity to his sound. Gaby Ritter, who plays the Bohemian Oz, is also a good singer and she harmonizes well with Osvaldo Mendoza as the rebel Brit. Samy Berman brings humor and style to the Killer Queen. Audrey Ward adds some comic menace as Globalsoft henchwoman Khashoggi. And Juwan Stanford, as Buddy, has a nice solo in “These Are the Days of Our Lives.”
Erica Kahn designed choreography and music director Erin Vanderhyde Gross coached the singers. Maricela Alaniz designed costumes, Stephanie Ma’alona designed lighting and Malick Ceesay designed sound.
“We Will Rock You” may not be a great musical, but on opening night, nostalgic Queen fans in the audience enjoyed the ride.
‘We Will Rock You’
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Sept. 20
Where: New Village Arts, 2787 State St., Carlsbad
Tickets: $45-$85
Phone: 760-433-3245
Online: newvillagearts.org