“WE WILL ROCK YOU” ROCKS THE AUDIENCE AT NEW VILLAGE ARTS THEATRE IN CARLSBAD !

 Celebrating 25 years of productions and over twenty musical number from the rock band Queen, created quite a celebratory feeling in the lobby just off the Ray Charles Stage in Carlsbad recently.

Inside, former Teatro San Diego Associate Artistic Director, Sheldon Gomabon, (with musical directed by Erin Vanderhyde-Gross, and choreographed by Erika Kahn) takes us on a three hundred year journey into the future where algorithms control everything and authenticity is forbidden. 

Sarah Ledesma (left)  Cooper Orio (center) with cast

But the spirit refuses to be silenced after we meet up with Cooper Orio  as the dreamer-turned-hero Galileo and Sarah Ledesma,  as the fearless Scaramouche. Calling themselves “Bohemians”, who will bring this jukebox musical, by Ben Elton, back to the Rock “N Roll era, their goal is to find the holy ax, get rid of Globalsoft, their nemesis, and return to individual thinking. They run into more than a few roadblocks along the way. The greatest threats are Killer Queen (Vanessa Flores Cabrera)  of the reigning Globalsoft Corporation and his commander-in-chief Khashoggi (Audrey Ward). 

Their antics are a bit off the wall, but it matters not since so many familiar references are bandied about that one just has to smile and remember. 

               Samy Berman, foreground, as Killer Queen and Audrey Ward 

With book by British comedian Ben Elton the story, set in London,  is a bit far fetched but most in the audience came to hear (Freddie Mercury) Queen’s music especially those of us who watched the film “Bohemian Rhapsody”, his live AIDS performance which is ‘regarded as one of the greatest live performances in the history of rock music’. 

Cooper Orio our hero Galileo, who shared with me that this was his first professional singing job, has a sincerity in his voice that you almost want to hold his hand while he is singing. Sarah Ledesma, on the other hand, as Scaramouche, can be heard throughout the theatre, her voice is so strong and  Audrey Ward plays Khashoggi with a vengeance.

Credit Erin Vanderhyde Gross as Music Director, Erica Kahn as Choreographer, Jesus Hurtado for Scenic and Projections, Jaeonnie Davis-Crawford for Props, Maricela Alaniz for Costumes, Stephanie Ma’Alona for Lighting, Mia Karvounis for Wigs and Malick Ceesay for Sound Design. 

If you love “Somebody To Love”, “Under Pressure”, “I Want It All”, “No One But You”, “Another One Bites The Dust” “These Are The Days Of Our Lives” “Headlong” “We Will Rock You” “We Are The Champions” and “Bohemian Rhapsody” you will be sure to enjoy “We Will Rock You” now playing at New Village Arts. 

On another note, Kristianne Kurner, founder and Artistic Director announced that this will be her last season with New Village Arts Theatre. 

She will be missed. But, according to her, ‘it’s time to pass the torch’. 

See you at the theatre.

And for heaven’s sake… ENJOY!

When:  Runs through Sept. 20. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays

Where: New Village Arts, 2787 State St., Carlsbad

Tickets: $45-$85

Photo: JEDZANT Photography

Phone: 760-433-3245

Online: newvillagearts.org