Theater: “Stereophonic” @ Playwrights Horizons

Rock-and-roll animals, have I got a show for you. It’s called “Stereophonic” (Playwrights Horizons). And even if you aren’t a hardcore rock-and-roller or concertgoer, you’ll appreciate the play for what it says about creative people and their passion—often insufferable—for perfection.

The scene: a California recording studio, 1976. The players are a British-American rock group whose first album has just shot to number #1 on the charts. They are in the throes of creating their second album. Unfortunately, their egos are getting in the way.

Peter (Tom Pecinka), the American lead, is a bullying perfectionist. He will keep Grover and Charlie, his beleaguered studio engineers (the brilliant Eli Gelb and Andrew Butler) till 4 am until he gets what he wants.

Peter’s sexy, bellbottom-wearing girlfriend Diana (Sarah Pidgeon) is brought to tears because she views his criticism as cruel, rather than constructive. The three other British brand members (Will Brill, Juliana Canfield and Chris Stack) are equally angry at being kept from their families for upwards of three years.

If you think this group sounds a lot like Fleetwood Mac, you would be correct. Peter is basically a stand-in for Lindsey Buckingham, Diana is Stevie Nicks and the other three are the McVie’s plus Mick Fleetwood. This group’s struggle to follow up their number 1 album parallels the sturm-und-drang that supposedly followed Fleetwood’s “Rumors.” The petty jealousies and screaming matches may be similar to what FM went through back in the 1970s. too. (Of course this is just conjecture on the part of David Adjmi, the playwright.)

This behind-the-scenes look at the music world will be recognizable to anyone who’ve worked in tangential entertainment fields such as theater and advertising. “Okay,” says Grover the engineer. “Take 75. Rolling.” Which means that in the midst of the take, either the engineer or Peter will wave his hand and signal the band to stop. Then another 76 takes will follow. Oy. Anyone for sushi?

Directed by Daniel Aiken (“Placebo” “Bad Jews”) and scored with 70s-appropriate songs by Will Butler formerly of Arcade Fire, “Stereophonic” is moving, thrilling, and hilarious at times. Adjmi said he almost gave up on theater before writing this play. We should be thankful he did not. Two guitar picks up.

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