Stoppard's ROCK 'N' ROLL Inspires Collaborations With Chicago Restaurants & More

Tom Stoppard's Rock 'n' Roll, a sweeping drama about love, music and revolution from the Velvet Underground to the Velvet Revolution at Goodman Theatre, has inspired a number of special collaborations with the Chicago community.

Rock 'n' Roll runs May 2 - June 7 in the Albert Theatre; tickets are $25 - 75. The Edith-Marie Appleton Foundation and Goodman Theatre Women's Board are the Major Production Sponsors for Rock ‘n‘ Roll and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is the Corporate Sponsor Partner. Additional support is provided by the Director's Society Sponsors. WXRT is the Official Radio Sponsor of Rock 'n' Roll.

Tuesday, May 12 | 6 - 8pm

Reading, Writing, Revolution - A Panel with Bill Ayers, Erica Meiners, Therese Quinn and David Stovall

Moderated by Kevin Kumashiro at Goodman Theatre

Co-sponsored by Chicago Freedom School and Public Square, a program of the Illinois Humanities Council

Tickets are FREE, but reservations are required | Phone only: 312.443.3800

America's education system is in crisis and nowhere is that more evident than here in Chicago, where less than 60% of public school students graduate each year. Thousands of children are being left behind without the skills to compete in our increasingly information-driven global society. This event is a call to action for education reform, and will educate the community on what they can do to impact the lives of the next generation.

Thursday, May 14 | 5:30pm reception; 7:30pm performance

WXRT Night at Goodman Theatre with Lin Brehmer

Lin Brehmer hosts a pre-show reception with live music by Fair Herald

Tickets are $50 (for reception and performance) | Phone only, mention "WXRT Night": 312.443.3800

Join Lin Brehmer, famed morning personality of radio station WXRT 93.1, ‘Chicago's Finest Rock,' and Charles Newell, director of Rock 'n' Roll, for a pre-show gathering with tunes and treats at Goodman Theatre, followed by a 7:30pm performance. The Chicago-based rock quartet Fair Herald covers music from the show, including "The Last Time" (The Rolling Stones); "Venus in Furs" (The Velvet Underground); "Wouldn't It Be Nice" (The Beach Boys); among others.

Monday, May 18 | 6pm

Music, Politics and Revolution: WBEZ's "Sound Opinions" Live at the Goodman

With Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot

Tickets are FREE, but reservations are required | Phone only: 312.443.3800

Join two of the most respected music critics and best-recognized pop music writers in the country-Jim DeRogatis of the Chicago Sun-Times and Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune-as they explore the revolutionary power of rock and roll during their WBEZ show, "Sound Opinions," at the Goodman. The Chicago-based "Sound Opinions," the world's only rock and roll talk show, fires up smart and spirited discussions about a wide range of popular music, from cutting-edge underground rock and hip-hop, to classic rock, R&B, electronica, worldbeat, or just about any other genre, every week.

A Culinary Tour for Rock 'n' Roll

South Water Kitchen, Catch Thirty Five, Crimson Lounge and Trattoria No. 10

Inspired by the music of Rock 'n' Roll, four of the Goodman's Preferred Partner Restaurants present a "Culinary Tour," featuring specialty drinks, appetizers and main course items that embody the spirit of the play.

South Water Kitchen | 225 N. Wabash

The restaurant sponsor of the play, South Water Kitchen has created three cocktails:

"Wouldn't It Be Nice" - Stoli Blueberry, Limoncello and blueberry puree, served straight up ($10)

"Give Peace a Chance" - Citrus green tea, Hendrick's gin and Limoncello, served straight up ($11)

"It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (But I Like It)" - Grey Goose Orange, Plymouth gin, peach liqueur and citrus juices blended and topped with fresh peaches ($11).

Catch Thirty Five | 35 W. Wacker

Rock Shrimp Egg Roll Appetizer - Fresh rock shrimp with plum dipping sauce ($8.95)

Pink Floyd Punch - Watermelon vodka, Bacardi Limon, sour mix and a splash of grenadine ($9.95)

Crimson Lounge in Hotel Sax | 333 N. Dearborn

"Golden Hair" - A cocktail of fine champagne, St. Germain and a lemon twist, the "Golden Hair" has a smooth tone, like the dulcet tones of the Syd Barrett song of the same name. ($14)

Trattoria No. 10 | 10 N. Dearborn
"Give Peas A Chance" - Fettuccini with smoked duck breast, English Peas and Fresh Mozzarella for $18.

Direct from a critically-acclaimed run on Broadway and in London's West End, Rock 'n' Roll was hailed among critics as "triumphant... arguably Stoppard's finest play" (The New York Times); and "exhilarating, touching and remarkable! Stoppard's most heartening statement in years, a play in which we happily groove to the guitar licks of history" (The Washington Post). It's August 1968, and Russian tanks are rolling into Prague. Jan, the Czech student, lives for rock music; Max, the English professor, lives for Communism; and Esme, the flower child, is high. By 1990, the tanks are rolling out, the Stones are rolling in and idealism has hit the wall. Stoppard's sweeping and passionate play spans two countries, three generations and 22 turbulent years, at the end of which, love remains-and so does rock 'n' roll.

Tickets are $25 - 75, and may be purchased online at GoodmanTheatre.org, at the Goodman Theatre Box Office, 170 North Dearborn Street, or by phone at 312.443.3800. Mezztix are half-price mezzanine tickets available at 12 noon at the box office and at 10am online on the day of performance; not available by telephone. When purchasing online, use promo code MEZZTIX. For students, 10Tix are $10 mezzanine tickets available at 12 noon at the box office and at 10am online on the day of performance; not available by telephone. Valid student I.D. must be presented at will call; limit four tickets per student. All tickets are subject to availability and handling fees apply. Discounted group tickets for 10 persons or more are available at 312.443.3820.