Photos provided by Jeff Sciortino and Carol Rosegg

The likelihood of The Kinks reuniting is extremely low, especially considering co-founding brothers Ray and Dave Davies’ advancing ages or decades of disagreements, but thankfully, the musical “Sunny Afternoon,” based on their ubiquitous songs and lesser known story, just made its North American debut direct from West End.

Based around Ray and Joe Penhall’s re-telling, fans and general audiences alike can head to the Chicago Shakespeare Theater through Sunday, April 27, where they’re bound to encounter a reverent cast and realistic set straight out of London in the politically-charged 1960s.

Danny Horn (singer/rhythm guitarist Ray), Oliver Hoare (lead guitarist/vocalist Dave), Michael Lepore (bassist Peter Quaife) and Kieran McCabe (drummer Mick Avory) star uncannily as The Kinks, who rise from working class beginnings to headlining Madison Square Garden as a pivotal force in the British Invasion, not too far behind The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Who.

“You Really Got Me,” “A Well Respected Man,” “Dedicated Follower Of Fashion,” “Till The End Of The Day” and “All Day And All Of The Night” are a few of the many raw, raucous and authentic memories that appear in a stacked first act, helping add fuel to one of music’s spiciest sibling rivalries, long before Oasis or The Black Crowes.

Unfortunately, the Davies’ challenging personal lives regularly creep into the picture, such as Ray being haunted by the sudden death of their sister, his strained marriage, Dave’s substance abuse and mounds of behind the scenes mismanagement.

The show also addresses an instance when The Kinks made history as the only act to ever be banned from America, stemming from a dispute with the musicians’ union, yet there’s seemingly nothing the guys can’t overcome, leading to the additional classics “Sunny Afternoon,” “Waterloo Sunset” and “Lola,” plus several more tracing their lyrical and instrumental innovation.

That trend actually continued well into the 1980s, despite this soundtrack stopping short of the MTV regulars “Come Dancing,” “Destroyer,” “Don’t Forget To Dance” and others, perhaps warranting a sequel as a result.

In the meantime, there’s no better way to relive the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers’ most fruitful period then seeing “Sunny Afternoon” and supporting Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s meticulous efforts in making sure their groundbreaking body of work continues being passed down to subsequent generations.

“Sunny Afternoon” continues at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater through Sunday, April 27. For additional details, visit ChicagoShakes.com/Productions/Sunny-Afternoon.

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