BWW Reviews: World Premiere MODROCK Brings a British Invasion Mods vs. Rockers Love Story to Life in NoHo

In Great Britain, the period between 1963 and 1966 was one of the most extraordinary moments of youth cultural history as well as in popular music history. It was also a time of a rapidly changing social culture. MODROCK, with book by Hogan Thomas-Jones, directed by Brian Lohmann, produced by Tom Coleman with choreography by Michele Spears, is an homage to this period and to the many iconic bands and songwriters who emerged from it. In addition to The Beatles and the Rolling Stones, these include bands such as the Kinks, the Animals, Dusty Springfield, the Yardbirds, the Hollies, Chad and Jeremy, The Who, Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Zombies and Herman's Hermits to name just a few.

The Mods and Rockers were conflicting British youth subcultures of the early-mid 1960s. Riots between Mods and Rockers broke out in seaside resort towns in Southern England during this time and sparked a moral panic about British youths. The Rockers were motorcyclists, wearing denim and black leather jackets. The Mods were clean-cut scooter riders, wearing the latest fashions of Mary Quant, Alvaro, Stevens and others, with Sassoon haircuts.

By the late 1960s, the two subcultures had faded from public view and media attention turned to two new emerging youth subcultures - the hippies and the skinheads. However for a brief period between 1963 and 1966 the Mods and Rockers, both with British working class roots, dominated the pop culture, and it was within this cultural context that the sounds of the British Music Invasion developed and world fashion and cultural trends were invented.

Set in the vibrant, swinging London of 1965, MODROCK portrays the time when it seemed Great Britain was the center of all of international music, fashion, culture and lifestyle. It tells the story of star-crossed lovers from rival factions, "Mod" Kate (Melinda Porto) and "Rocker" Adam (Steven Good) who are forced to choose between loyalties to their long-time friends and their newfound love for each other through 20 classic songs from the era. Each song is women into the story to forward the action as the lovers attempt to move on with their lives and love against the advice of friends and family.

Scott Kruse plays Kate's brother (the fashion obsessed "Mod" Simon) to the hilt in the Mods first song "Dedicated Follower of Fashion." The "Faces" (as the Mods were called) included Ian Littleworth, Julia Tobey, Eric Watkins, and Scott Weston along with Melinda Porto and Scott Kruse.

We first meet the Rockers as they laze about while Adam (Steven Good) urges his Chelsea Bridge Boy buddies Johnny (Harley Jay) and Oliver (Michael Hawley) to move on with their lives as he has in "We Gotta Get Out of This Place." Good and all the Rockers ignited the stage and really got the show rolling with this number.

Next we meet "Mod" Georgie (Ian Littleworth) who is too shy to tell Kate he would do anything "For Your Love." Littleworth is a marvel in this number, to the point of channeling a young David Bowie as well as Dick Van Dyke, the long-legged chimney sweep in "Mary Poppins."

And then there's love-sick Claire, red-headed wonder Rocker AdriAnna Rose Lyons, who bemoans she is "Tired of Waiting" for Adam to declare his intentions toward her. How could she know Adam's heart already belongs to Kate as demonstrated in their love duet "Bus Stop" complete with umbrella in the rain, leading to a picnic in Hyde Park during which they declare "I Only Want to be With You." Melinda Porto and Steven Good are on fire as Kate and Adam in their scenes together. You can feel the heat drawing them together against all odds.

Other highlights include the three uber-talented Rocker girls (AdriAnna Rose Lyons, Emily Morris, and dance captain extraordinaire Jade Tailor) acknowledging their problems with men in "You've Got Your Troubles, I've Got Mine." Wonderful harmonies and dynamite, sexy, black sparkly costumes! And the showdown between Rocker Adam on his motorcycle and Mod Simon on his Vespa in "I'm a Man" left me breathless. Brilliant choreography in this contest of wills and egos.

Kudos also for musical arrangements by David O; musical direction by John Ballinger; scenic, lighting, and projection design by Joel Daavid; costume design by Ann Closs-Farley; sound design by Cricket Myers; hair, wig, and makeup design by Judi Lewin; and casting by Michael Donovan CSA.

MODROCK
El Portal Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood CA 91601
Opens June 23 - ongoing
Thursday and Friday Evenings at 8 pm
Saturdays at 3 pm and 8 pm; Sundays at 2 pm and 7 pm
(No performance on Thursday, July 4)
Tickets: www.modrockmusical.com, or by calling 1-818-508-4200
$44, $59 - Premium tickets available.

The CD of music from MODROCK is available through iTunes, CDBaby.com and other sites nationwide.

Photo Credit - Michael Lamont

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