Revolution(s)
Get ready for an electrifying night filled with the raw energy of punk rock, the thunderous riffs of heavy metal, and the infectious beats of hip-hop. From the book by Zayd Ayers Dohrn, with music and lyrics by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Tom Morello, Revolution(s), and directed by Steve H. Broadnax III, will transport you back to the vibrant spirit of the 70s and the rebellious days of an iconic time when rising hell, holding the line, and fighting against the man were groovy things to do. Goodman Theatre brings this captivating musical, filled with great music and a narrative that's solid as a rock. It's so exhilarating, vociferous, and spirited that you will leave ready to fight the injustice of this world. Well, that's what they would like you to experience. The play follows the Weems family, who lived on the South Side of Chicago. Hampton, an AWOL (Absent Without Leave) soldier and passionate rap singer, has returned from his tour in Afghanistan. He's coming back to rejoin his old friends and get the band back together. But the group has other plans. Hampton's girlfriend, Lucia, is part of the resistance movement seeking to reclaim their neighborhood, and his friend Sean is eager to get him to join. His brother, Ernie, a quiet and contemplative young man, wrestles with the weight of family history and his own expectations. He fears following in his father's footsteps; his father is imprisoned, and his brother is on the run from the law. Meanwhile, their mother, Emma, clings to her resilience and hopes that the men in her life will one day be reunited.
Revolution(s) multigenerational storyline runs nicely between the lives of the Weems' family. Still, it never connects their mostly self-inflicted struggles with the issues of a true revolution. Emma, a former teacher who wanted to change the world's racial views against minorities, falls in love with a custodial worker who robs stores and other people to make ends meet. Together they become the 70's version of Bonnie and Clyde. Nothing revolutionary about that. The brothers are battling their own inner demons and personal struggles, while the rest of the cast in the play, Sunny and Sean, seem drawn into the issues surrounding the Weems family. The only person who appears to be waging a revolution is Lucia, portrayed by Alysia Velez, who embodies a fierce determination and unyielding spirit. The entire cast was excellent, and I loved the music, songs, and the terrific guitar solos. Still, Zayd's music and songs don't provide a smooth transition to the narrative, leaving the audience to wonder who is responsible. Who bears the responsibility for driving change? Is it the vibrant youth, brimming with energy and fresh perspectives, or perhaps those who were once young themselves, now aged and wise enough to grasp the need for change? This may be too much to ask for a two-hour play, when the world still hasn't been able to find the answers. Zayd talks about how the play is about the struggle to make a better world, which keeps echoing throughout generations, and the world isn't going to change itself; you have to be the resistance to make it change. Ultimately, it falls upon all of us to create a better future.
The play asks the question. So are you ready to Hold The Line? If you are, Revolution(s) enthralling music and provocative narrative is a good place to start, and they are ready to help you.
⭐⭐⭐
The Goodman Theatre
Revolution(s)
Book by Zayd Ayers Dohrn
Music and Lyrics by Tom Morello
Directed by Steve H. Broadnax III
Extended by popular demand until November 16, 2025
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