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Crafting ‘Stereophonic’: How ‘Terrifying’ Rehearsals, Creative Clashes and a Soundproof Studio Led to Broadway’s Buzziest Show


Writer David Adjmi, director Daniel Aukin, songwriter Will Butler and more detail the 10-year journey to crafting Broadway's 'Stereophonic.'

A little over 10 years ago, David Adjmi was on an airplane, listening to Led Zeppelin’s “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You,” and picturing Robert Plant recording the vocals. Starring Sarah Pidgeon, Chris Stack, Tom Pecinka, Juliana Canfield, Will Brill, Andrew R. Butler and Eli Gelb, the play demands more than just chemistry between its featured players. The actors had to develop the musical chops and roots-rock harmony to sell Will Butler ’s songs — which accelerate the story and heighten the emotion throughout — as well as execute carefully choreographed mess-ups and do-overs to be convincing as sparring, coke-snorting bandmates.

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