Red Rock Diner is up and running at the Arts Club Theatre with a wonderful cast of actors and musicians. Some who have attended have returned for a second time. Neil Minor plays the role of yours truly and is remarkable. Zack Stephenson plays the lead rocker and as usual his great talent makes things move. Valerie Easton, one of Vancouver’s finest directors has updated the original show with more music than ever. In many ways Dean Regan’s vision of the early days of rock and roll is more like a Top 40 version of Grease with a lot more music. The energy level is high throughout, and the acrobatics of the young performers is outstanding.

Province critic Jerry Wasserman takes the production to task over “the lamest songs – Where The Boys Are and Stupid Cupid”. I was there when Top 40 was a mixed bag and it was not wall-to-wall rock. Let me give you an example during the British Invasion. In 1964 the Number 1 song was She Loves You with the Beatles but Number 2 was Hello Dolly by Louis Armstrong. Quite a contrast. Jerry was not all critical as there were some parts of the show he liked such as Roy Orbison’s Crying. However that is his job to criticize. I imagine he gets the same treatment at his UBC theatre for his productions.

Regardless, if you want an upbeat flashback to a happier time join me at the Red Rock Diner.

P.S. Jerry, The Chantels did not chart a top 10 hit until Look In My Eyes in 1961. In 1958 they had a ht with Maybe. The Shirelles had minor hits in the late 50’s with I Met Him On A Sunday and Dedicated To The One I Love. They hit #1 in 1960 with Will You Love Me Tomorrow? Playwright Dean Regan had so much to choose from and in my opinion he captured the scene perfectly.