by Keridwyn Deller

Brandon and I have been looking forward to this show since we first learned it was touring to Seattle. Stereophonic’s run is short (October 7 – 12, 2025 at The Paramount in downtown Seattle), so I wanted to give y’all a heads up about the show before it comes to town!

Stereophonic won the most Tony Awards of any show in 2024 AND it broke a record: it’s the most Tony-Award Nominated play of all time.

A bit about the show, in their own words: “Stereophonic mines the agony and the ecstasy of creation as it zooms in on a music studio in 1976. Here, an up-and-coming rock band recording a new album finds itself suddenly on the cusp of superstardom. The ensuing pressures could spark their breakup — or their breakthrough….Stereophonic invites the audience to immerse themselves — with fly-on-the-wall intimacy — in the powder keg process of a band on the brink of blowing up.”

I’m guessing this show will give me the feeling that some of my favorite songs from the 70s give me. It takes a lot for me to say yes to attending a show with a long run time (this one runs over 3 hours with one intermission), but knowing it’s award success, the subject matter, and how much folks who have seen it have loved it, I’m in.

I had the chance to interview Stereophonic tour cast member Jack Barrett (who plays Grover). Here is what they shared with me!

Q: If someone is picking ONE show to see in Seattle this Fall, why is Stereophonic the one to pick?

JACK: Wow so many reasons! First off it does happen to be the most tony nominated play of all time, just to drop that there. Stereophonic is about the human experience, which is something we all can relate to. It’s about trying to create a piece of music, and how that can come from the best or worst parts of ourselves. It’s the best piece of theater I’ve ever been a part of.

Q: How do you imagine an audience member feeling as they head out after the show?

JACK: I imagine it like you’ve just finished binging a tv series, or finished inhaling a great book.  Where you almost feel like you knew the characters, and will miss them a bit, hopefully. And maybe like you’ve been through a real spectrum of emotions.

Q: What’s a memorable moment from a rehearsal or recent performance?

JACK: Recently while we were teching the show, Will Butler and Justin Craig had the band come out into the house and we all listened to the band’s recent recording of Masquerade at full blast. Getting to head bang to a song that good is something I get to do every night, but to watch the cast hear themselves play it for the first time was really special.

Q: What’s a fun challenge about playing your role in Stereophonic?

JACK: Mastering the faders and the board has been a large challenge, as I don’t have much experience with music production. Being able to make moves on it now though feels amazing. Another challenge for Grover is being a witness to so much of what the band goes through. To navigate experiencing these events deftly is really tough! It’s really reminded me how incredibly important listening is, and what are the many ways we do that.

Q: What’s something that surprised you about the production or creative process when you were in rehearsals?

Honestly, I think I was somewhat surprised how cool every member of the creative team was. Everyone is so approachable and available for any sort of question, without sacrificing the extreme attention to detail that makes this play great. I can see why they have now been working together for so many years!

Q: What’s something you love about a fellow cast member or someone involved with the show?

It’s so rad to be traveling with a group of sick musicians. Yesterday during travel there was an impromptu jam session with a Harmonica solo by our Simon Understudy, Eli Bridges. I can pretty much request any song and somebody can play it. It’s amazing! Also Cornelius McMoyler, our Simon just released a new song on Spotify! So much good music.

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Thanks for taking the time to connect, Jack! We’re stoked to be able to see you and the rest of the cast on stage in Seattle this month.

Stereophonic plays The Paramount Theatre in downtown Seattle October 7 – 12, 2025. Tickets and more info here.

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P.S. Mark your calendars for later October when the tour of Broadway’s Chicago the Musical comes to The 5th Avenue Theatre (in partnership with Seattle Theatre Group) October 22 – November 2, 2025. Info here.