Stereophonic

Working in the recording studio presents the band with not only musical challenges but also interpersonal ones: While the band members try to produce good songs, the tensions among them continue to grow. Peter, lead vocals and guitar, exerts immense pressure on his bandmates with his control freak tendencies, and they are increasingly resisting him.

His wife Diana, lead vocalist, is enjoying success as a songwriter, while her desire for independence continues to grow.

Holly, lead vocals and keyboard, longs for a self-determined life, but has to take care of her cocaine-addicted ex, Reg, on electric bass, so that the album can ever be finished.

Simon, on drums, misses his wife and children in England, whom he hasn’t seen in years because of his career. Grover, the sound engineer, lied to get the job and isn’t sure if he’s up to the task.

Charlie, his assistant, may be the cousin of one of the Doobie Brothers, but he’s also completely inexperienced.

How much must one sacrifice for art, and how is the best art created? How does one assert one’s artistic ambition to create something great in the face of colleagues who don’t share the same passion? Can excessive perfectionism ruin something? What role does one’s private life play in the creative process?

These questions are explored in David Adjmi’s multi-award-winning play, which premiered in New York and will be presented by Thomas Ostermeier this fall for its German-language premiere.

The music for the play was composed by Will Butler, a founding member of the band Arcade Fire.