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DEAD JOHN (Rock 'n Roll Until We Die)

Musicals & Operas · Hire Score Media · Ages 16+ · 90 mins · United States of America

Content Warning World Premiere
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dead john (rock 'n roll until we die)

Review by JIM BLANCHETTE

June 28, 2026 certified reviewer
tagged as: murder mystery · 80's rock

What I liked

In a cast of top-notch singers and actors, Sophia Rizzo shines as an egotistical diva with a shriveled heart and utter disdain for everyone, the character you love to hate. Composer/lyricist Tyler Rivera Stein provides a score for the that makes us long for hair bands.

What I didn't like

In a show with so much great music, it seemed odd to not have any music to cover the scene changes. It hurt the flow of the piece. The sound mix for the dialog was soft in sections.

My overall impression

This campy rock opera hits on all the classic tropes as a troubled rock band finds itself in a supernatural murder mystery. This all-female cast couple fantastic harmonies that legendary rockers Heart would be jealous of. The story has enough twists and turns to keep the story moving, while the music melts your face off. It’s easy to see why they added a performance after Fringe. Lots of fun.

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dead john (rock 'n roll until we die)