Red Rockers

There are many dichotomies in Tom Stoppard’s Rock ‘n’ Roll — theory and practice, teacher and student, freedom and oppression. But the one constant is that sweet sound of freedom known as rock music. The Tony Award-winning Stoppard takes us on a journey from 1968 to 1990, alternating between Communist Czechoslovakia and British academia (Cambridge, of course). Despite the Soviet squash of the Prague Spring in 1968, Max, a Marxist professor, remains firm in his ideals. Meanwhile, Max’s pupil Jan returns to his native Czechoslovakia, where his love of rock ‘n’ roll is hampered by Commie control. And at the center of it all is the underground Czech group the Plastic People of the Universe, a band that literally fought for its freedom to rock. In the end, Lennon rules, Lenin drools.

Rock ‘n’ Roll runs now through October 4 at the Mosaic Theatre, 12200 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation. Call 954-472-0022, or visit mosaictheatre.com.
Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Starts: Sept. 11. Continues through Oct. 4, 2009