Queen’s longevity has always been etched in stone, but when the biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody” took home four Academy Awards (the most for all of 2019), the theatrical rockers scored another cross-generational surge in popularity. In addition to original guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor rounding the bases in concert, with Adam Lambert stepping in for the late Freddie Mercury, the band re-booted its officially authorized musical “We Will Rock You” for an extensive North American trek that rolls into the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet on Tuesday, September 17. Chicago Concert Reviews connected with overall director JP Thibodeau and musical director Russell Broom for a full run down on the anthem-packed show, a futuristic storyline and Queen’s latest resurgence across multiple mediums.

In your opinion, why does this music simply never go out of style?

Russell Broom: The songs are great, and they stand the test of time. Learning Queen’s music has been a textbook course in great writing, incredible intent and conviction, and in the dying art of the “band,” four unique people and musicians whose idiosyncrasies and musical sensibilities created something wholly unique. 

JP Thibodeau: Does music ever really go out of style? Some just fade into the past and remain stuck in time, but with Queen, it seems every generation has forged some connection to the music since their initial pop culture integration. “Wayne’s World” brought “Bohemian Rhapsody” into the cultural zeitgeist and “We Will Rock You” remains the penultimate sports anthem. I just think because they didn’t want to fit one specific mold, their music just resonates in a variety of ways to everyone and that’s what makes it so easy to slip in and out of the dialogue and musical culture generation after generation.

How has all this reignited interest in Queen specifically affected “We Will Rock You”?

Broom: The interest in the show has been incredible, and some of the younger cast and band members have been reintroduced or even introduced to the band through the recent film. Their desire to perform and learn about this music has been inspiring.

Thibodeau: It’s exciting to know that there will be people who have seen Queen hundreds of times and people experiencing Queen’s music for the first time coming out to see our show. We saw the band with Adam Lambert in Vancouver and were so amazed at the diverse group of people who had assembled to celebrate this group. Kids, adults, seniors, everyone was there to share in the experience of hearing them live. That idea of bringing people of all ages, shapes and colours together to celebrate the music of this one group is exhilarating and precisely what we know and want the musical to do.

The musical, of course, comes with the complete authorization and involvement of the surviving group members. What has their involvement brought to the show?

Broom: It’s made me very conscious of rehearsing the music with the right intent and conviction, and not just worrying about the right notes. We were fortunate enough to have Stuart Morley, the UK music director, and our music supervisor, come over and teach the cast the music while giving us some invaluable background to where the songs came from. He did the orchestrations, and works directly with Roger Taylor and Brian May, so it was really like being taught from the source. He set a tone and a level for us that has kept us inspired throughout the process of building our show. His work is truly incredible in how reverent it is to the original material. I feel it has also given everyone a deeper respect for the music, and our goal is to make the songs feel like you are at a Queen show, with the same raw grit and intensity that only they can do. 

Thibodeau: It’s been an incredible experience to work so closely with the band and their music supervisor, Stuart Morley. To learn about each song as it stands on its own, why it was written, what it meant and how Freddie would have sung it and wanted it sung was incredible. In directing and creating this show, I want it to be as much a celebration of the music as it is the story. Having them involved takes our storytelling to a whole new level and has allowed our incredible artists to really tap into the underlying meanings and comprehension of the music. 

How would you describe the premise of the musical to those who are unfamiliar? 

Thibodeau: First and foremost, this show is full of Queen and all the songs you know and all those you know but didn’t know were Queen. Funny story: As I prepared for the show, I was listening to the music over and over in my house. One day my wife was home while I was prepping, and as each song came on, she said “this is Queen too?!”  She had no idea how many songs she knew and I think that is important for everyone to know. The Queen lovers will come knowing the music and meeting new characters they will fall in love with. The theatregoers will be pleasantly surprised by how much of the music they know. Together they will be taken on a journey to the future where music is prescribed by the establishment and has no original thought. They will meet the heroes Galileo and Scaramouche, the former in search of music and the latter in search of love. Together these characters meet a group of Bohemians all waiting for a hero to come and bring music and self-identity to the people. The story is fun, its cheeky and irreverent, and with Ben Elton’s script, it is chalked full of the perfect amount of entertainment for everyone. 

Bottom line, this is intended as a night to be reminded why we love music, how important it is and how we can bring masses of people together to have fun, share in laughs and a great night of entertainment. In a world being torn apart by many things, it’s a fun and light reminder that music and art will always bring us together and that is what we can’t wait to share with North America.
 
Tell us about the look of the set and overall production.

Thibodeau: With the show being set in the future, we have a very industrial and digital world created by set designer Terry Gunverdahl. We add the whimsy and over the top charm made famous by Freddie Mercury through our costumes, designed by Angela Dale. Together they represent this world of the future one, a place devoid of music but filled with clean lines and symmetry. The other [is] a place of reckless abandon, but fun whimsy, and longing for a resurgence of art.

What about the breakdown of songs? Is it primarily the hits or deep tracks too?

Broom: It’s a collection of both, leaning more on the hits, but ultimately it’s the songs that communicate the storyline best, and keep the energy up for the duration of the show.

Thibodeau: The hits are definitely there, but what Ben Elton has done is string together a song list that makes sense for the narrative he has used to tell the stories of our heroes and the dystopian future. The show is really shaped well to hit the crowd with songs they recognize instantly, like “We Will Rock You,” and sandwiched between is a song like “Now I’m Here” or “Hammer To Fall.” It is really a great representation of their work, but certainly focuses on the more recognized works you’d find on “Greatest Hits 1 and 2.”

Are there favorites for the cast or any truly transcendent moments?  
 
Thibodeau: I love watching the work and choreography by Angela Benson in “Radio Ga Ga.” I think it is so dynamic and charging to watch these 16 artists knock out this truly complex choreography representing this dystopian future. I also love the comedy of all the dialogue. It’s so sarcastic and has a real edge to it that makes it fun to watch and listen to.

In the Chicago area, you’ll be performing at the beautifully restored Rialto Square Theatre. What role does a historic venue play in your presentation? 

Broom: We are fortunate to be playing some historic venues throughout this tour, and I feel it’s important for the younger cast and band members to get a sense of legacy that these venues contain. Preserving the past and bringing it forward with us is not unlike the whole premise of the show.

What do you hope people will take away from “We Will Rock You” in general?

Broom: Joy, inspiration, and maybe some ringing ears…

Thibodeau: A smile on their face and a song in their heart…It is entertainment at the highest level combining music and storytelling in a way that should just remind everyone how music can fill our souls and change our lives.

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“We Will Rock You” performs at the Rialto Square Theatre on Sept. 17. For additional details, visit QueenOnline.com/WWRY and RialtoSquare.com.