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| The First National Tour Cast of Stereophonic. Photo: Julieta Cervantes |
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| (From L) Claire DeJean as ‘Diana’ and Denver Milord as ‘Peter’ in the First National Tour of Stereophonic. Photo: Julieta Cervantes |
What the Experts Are Saying About Stereophonic
New York Drama Critics’ Circle
“Stereophonic is the Best Play of the 2023–24 season.”
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The Guardian
“A dazzling 70s-set music saga … one of Broadway’s most striking triumphs of the season.”
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New York Theatre Guide
“The slow-burn storytelling pays off in fantastic musical moments that feel incredibly real.”
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Theatrely via Broadway World
“The play drops its audience into the unique agony of the pursuit of artistic perfection, capturing the creative struggle with hilarious, painstaking precision.”
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Step into a 1970s California recording studio and feel the chaos, the brilliance, and the raw energy of a band on the brink of their next big hit rock n roll album. You’re the invisible fly on the wall, catching every spark of creativity, every tense moment, and every musical breakthrough as it happens. The music is alive, performed nightly by actors who are also real musicians, making every note come alive with authenticity.
Stereophonic is immersive, eye-opening, electric, and unforgettable... a front row seat to rock history at its most thrilling.
My Mission to Preview Stereophonic
If you follow me on Instagram, you may know that the Pioneer Center sent me on a special mission to preview Stereophonic before it hits Reno (I’m still pinching myself). As a Broadway lover, I could not have been more excited to take it on. Sharing my love for Broadway, its valuable lessons, incredibly inspiring talent, & ability to move, while supporting the Pioneer Center is, and always will be, an easy yes. For those who may not know, the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts is a non-profit that has been a cornerstone of the Reno community since it opened in 1968. For over fifty five years, it has brought Broadway shows, concerts, ballets, operas, and countless other performances to Northern Nevada.
The Pioneer Center also does amazing work with seniors and youth through educational programs, workshops, and special events that engage all generations. They run vital fundraising initiatives to keep performances affordable, maintain their historic venue, and support free community programming. The Pioneer Center truly is a positive driving force in the Reno community, inspiring generations, supporting the arts, and making live performance accessible to everyone, and I could not be happier to take even a small part in this incredible mission, and you can feel good knowing that when you enjoy a show or event here at the theater, you are also supporting the mission. I can go on and on about why it’s important to support the arts movement, but I’ll just leave you with this: supporting the arts helps keep creativity, inspiration, and culture thriving, enriching our lives and strengthening our communities every day.
A huge shout-out to all the incredible volunteers who give their time and energy to keep every show at the Pioneer Center running smoothly. Their dedication truly makes a difference. If you get a chance to thank them, I'm sure they'll appreciate it.
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(From L) Denver Milord as 'Peter', Christopher Mowod as 'Reg', Claire DeJean as 'Diana', and Emilie Kouatchou as 'Holly' in the First National Tour of Stereophonic. Photo: Julieta Cervantes |
***No spoilers included in this post.***
Immersed in the 1970s Recording Studio
Stereophonic plunges you into a 1970s California recording studio with astonishing realism. You follow a fictitious band that could easily be one of the biggest acts in the world, fresh off a massively successful tour, as they spend a year creating their next album. The story unfolds almost in real time, giving it a fly on the wall documentary feel. You witness the highs and lows, the sparks of creativity, and the tension of trying to make something truly extraordinary. The studio operates like a real one, complete with glass booths, a working soundboard, and all the tactile details of a classic 70s studio. It is ridden with deception, jealousy, cocaine, and sticky relationships, yet amidst the chaos, moments of collaboration, genuine inspiration, growth, and creative breakthroughs shine through. These struggles mirror what many of us experience when striving for our own dreams, making the story surprisingly relatable despite its larger than life context. There are moments of comedy, heartbreak, frustration, perfectionism, and pure awe. It’s those swings between failure and brilliance that make you suddenly see your own ambitions in a new light. What makes it even more remarkable is that the play stands on its own as theater while featuring music that is insanely magnetic and performed live every night. With actors who are real musicians, the story feels completely authentic, drawing inspiration from legendary 70s bands and showing what it really takes to reach greatness.
From the very first moments of the show, it becomes immediately clear why it has garnered such acclaim. The talent onstage is unmistakable. The acting is seamless, each performer delivers standout moments, but it is their collective chemistry that makes the production feel almost too real. Their physicality is so intentional and expressive that even from a distance, every cue, gesture, and emotion lands with precision. In a fast paced world, the choice to slow down and fully develop these characters, to let them be human, feels grounding, refreshing, and remarkably honest. And the live music was absolutely electrifying. I was completely captivated during the musical sequences. If only there were a repeat button to keep that trance going… The meticulous set design, the nuanced interplay between characters, and the deeply immersive storytelling all weave together to create a theatrical experience unlike any other. This is the kind of production that lingers with you long after the curtain falls.
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| The First National Tour Cast of Stereophonic. Photo: Julieta Cervantes |
Tony Awards and Why They Matter
For a Broadway play to rack up the most Tony nominations is a serious flex. If you did not know, a Tony Award is the highest form of recognition & praise a stage production can receive. First presented in 1947, the awards have celebrated excellence in every aspect of theater for more than seventy five years, honoring outstanding work in acting, directing, set design, costumes (did I mention how FIRE the cast's fits were?!?), music, and more. Earning multiple nominations means a show has truly impressed the theater world and stands out as one of the best of the year. Stereophonic achieving this level of acclaim proves that it is extraordinary. Don't take my word for it. Go see for yourself.
Who Will Love Stereophonic
If you thrive on behind the scenes artistry, incredible talent, messy human chaos, and absorbing theater experiences, you are going to be obsessed.
Final Thoughts
Stereophonic is a masterclass in acting, music, realism, and storytelling. I cannot wait for Reno to get a taste of this magic from December 2nd to 7th.
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| (From L) Jack Barrett as 'Grover' and Steven Lee Johnson as 'Charlie' in the First National Tour of Stereophonic. Photo: Julieta Cervantes |
To my good old friend, Marco, who jumped on this quest at the last minute, thank you for coming through and being my trusty sidekick for the night. I was so impressed by your portable light and your initiative with illuminating the scenes and the night even. It was an absolute blast.
*The show includes a 15 minute intermission. Take advantage of both levels of restrooms/concessions.
*Student rush tickets are available for students at $25 per ticket. Limit 2 per student with a valid ID. Available based on availability in person at the box office 2 hours before the start of the show.
*Single seat tickets are $40/ticket. Available online or at the box office.
*Box Office hours are Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm and two hours prior to any performance at the Pioneer Center.
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| Jack Barrett as 'Grover' in the First National Tour of Stereophonic. Photo: Julieta Cervantes |
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| Connecting Broadway with Northern Nevada's Theater Community! The Pioneer Center’s Broadway Comes to Reno series brings national touring productions to the community each year, while its Behind the Curtain program gives local students exclusive backstage access, workshops, and interactions with Broadway professionals. |
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