![\"Samy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/sut-l-stage-wewillrockyou2.jpg\")
Samy Berman, foreground, as Killer Queen and Audrey Ward, on video screen in background, as Khashoggi in New Village Arts\u2019 \u201cWe Will Rock You.\u201d (JEDZANT Photography)<\/p>\nOn Saturday, Carlsbad\u2019s New Village Arts opened its 25th season with \u201cWe Will Rock You,\u201d a\u00a0 jukebox musical featuring 23 songs by the English rock band Queen.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve never heard of it, you\u2019re not alone. Despite a yearslong run in London\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
But if you grew up in the \u201980s watching Queen music videos, then you know over-the-top campiness was as big a part of its late lead singer Freddie Mercury\u2019s essence as his astonishing voice.<\/p>\n
As a result, New Village\u2019s production of \u201cWe Will Rock You\u201d is best for theatergoers who are coming for the music, not its silly story. Audience members are invited to stomp-stomp-clap with \u201cWe Will Rock You,\u201d sing along to portions of \u201cBohemian Rhapsody\u201d and clap along to \u201cI Want It All.\u201d<\/p>\n
Samy Berman, foreground, as Killer Queen and Audrey Ward, on video screen in background, as Khashoggi in New Village Arts\u2019 \u201cWe Will Rock You.\u201d (JEDZANT Photography)<\/p>\n
The two-hour musical\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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 \u2018n\u2019 roll-era relics and plot to achieve \u201crhapsody\u201d by ending the reign of Globalsoft\u2019s AI-generated villainess Killer Queen.<\/p>\n
The Bohemians\u2019 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\u2019s search for the holy ax (guitar) that will save humanity.<\/p>\n
The original production of \u201cWe Will Rock You\u201d was staged as a huge-cast, live rock \u2018n\u2019 roll concert-style show. But New Village\u2019s 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\u2019s seven actors sing to recorded music.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s voice, but some of these actors do replicate some of his sound in vocal passages.<\/p>\n
Power-belter Sarah Ledesma is the cast\u2019s vocal standout as Scaramouche. As Galileo, singer Cooper Orio doesn\u2019t have Mercury\u2019s vocal ferocity, but there\u2019s 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 \u201cThese Are the Days of Our Lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
Erica Kahn designed choreography and music director Erin Vanderhyde Gross coached the singers. Maricela Alaniz designed costumes, Stephanie Ma\u2019alona designed lighting and Malick Ceesay designed sound.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe Will Rock You\u201d may not be a great musical, but on opening night, nostalgic Queen fans in the audience enjoyed the ride.<\/p>\n
\u2018We Will Rock You\u2019<\/p>\n
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Sept. 20<\/p>\n
Where:\u00a0New Village Arts, 2787 State St., Carlsbad<\/p>\n
Tickets:\u00a0$45-$85<\/p>\n
Phone:\u00a0760-433-3245<\/p>\n