Cambridge Arts Theatre – until 21 March 2026
Reviewed Steph Lott
5*****
I’ll be honest — I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect when I took my seat at the Cambridge Arts Theatre on Tuesday evening for Rock & Roll Man. I knew vaguely who Alan Freed was — the American disc jockey credited with bringing rock ‘n’ roll to the mainstream — but a musical about a DJ? I needn’t have worried. Within minutes, I was grinning from ear to ear and tapping my feet like a teenager.
The show tells the remarkable story of Freed, the man who arguably did more than anyone to bridge the gap between Black musical culture and white mainstream America in the 1950s. It’s a story with real historical weight — themes of personal freedom, racial barriers, and the unstoppable power of music run through every scene. Director Randal Tyler handles this material with real confidence, keeping the energy sky-high while never losing sight of the human story at the centre of it all.
The vintage rock ‘n’ roll material — crafted by Marshak Classic Music and Gary Kupper — is simply glorious. Every song felt authentic, transporting the audience back in time with remarkable ease. These weren’t pale imitations; they crackled with the energy and spirit of the era. Paired with Stephanie Klemons’s choreography, which was sharp, sassy, and enormously fun, the stage fairly pulsed with life.
A huge part of the evening’s success belongs to musical director Dominique Scott and his house band. They didn’t just play the music — they lived it. Scott himself seemed to be having the time of his life throughout, and his portrayal of Jerry Lee Lewis was a highlight of the whole show — a wild, electrifying burst of showmanship that brought the house down. The band took the roof off, quite literally, on more than one occasion.
The whole cast delivered a storming performance, but special mention must go to Shelby Speed, who tackled a dazzling array of roles with tremendous energy and real expertise. Watching her move seamlessly between characters was one of the great pleasures of the evening. Equally delightful were the contributions of The Quartet, who provided some lovely cameo moments and added real warmth and texture to the show.
The audience — a predominantly older crowd, many of whom, I suspect, lived through this era the first time around — were absolutely swept away. The collective joy in that theatre was palpable, and by the time the final number arrived, everyone was on their feet. The standing ovation was entirely deserved and felt like it came from the heart.
Rock & Roll Man is a lovely, warm, and thoroughly entertaining piece of theatre. It works both as a foot-stomping celebration of a golden musical era and as a thoughtful tribute to a man who helped change American culture forever. If you get the chance to see it, don’t hesitate. You’ll leave the theatre feeling ten years younger and very glad you went.