![Cheap Trick's frontman Robin Zander was one of the guest stars of "Rocktopia." [image source: Suzanne Rothberg]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2018/4/30/660x290/b_502x220x82/cheap-tricks-frontman-robin-zander-was-one-of-the-guest-stars-of-rocktopia-photosuzanne-rothberg_1963685.jpg "Cheap Trick's frontman Robin Zander was one of the guest stars of \"Rocktopia.\" [image source: Suzanne Rothberg]")
"Rocktopia," the sensational hit Broadway musical with a mash-up of classical and rock and roll hits with amazing multi-media imagery, closed out its final night on April 29, at the Broadway Theater, with the legendary guest rock star Robin Zander of Cheap Trick. He and the rest of the cast had the audience on its feet begging for more! Various performances of "Rocktopia" featured guest stars, Dee Snider of Twisted Sister, and Pat Monahan from the rock group, Train. The show was backed by a choir and a full symphony orchestra. It reminded me of how The Beatles and Electric Light Orchestra transformed rock and roll using string instruments, guitars, and percussion.
The Rocktopians rocked the house with Robin Zander of Cheap Trick
Zander sang an impressive rendition of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway To Heaven," and Cheap Trick songs, "Surrender" and "Dream Police". He convinced me that he was Robert Plant in that moment when he sang "Stairway To Heaven." He nailed it as well as Cheap Trick's own songs. I've never experienced Cheap Trick in concert before although it was Robin solo. (Cheap Trick has played my hometown Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY twice.)
The show was not your typical Broadway rock musical. It was more of a live concert event. And it was a very clever production. Vocalist and co-creator Rob Evan was behind the concept of the show. He was the first vocalist on-stage and the others followed his lead.
I thought the Celtic violinist Mairead Nesbitt was super-talented and phenomenal with her incredible method of playing the violin. I've never seen anything quite like it—She plays with such emotion and harmony and the way she moved with the violin is transfixing to watch! The whole cast was remarkably talented and made the show spectacular!
If you missed it this time around, you're out of luck until the production comes back again if it does at some point. This was definitely an experience I will never forget!
Final thoughts on 'Rocktopia'
It's all about the music and the iconic artists that composed the most recognizable songs we know and love today. Some of the music that was featured in the show was by The Who, Styx, Led Zeppelin, Journey, Queen, The Beatles, combined with Beethoven, Strauss, and Puccini. It only ran for a short time but it was well worth the money. It was the best show I have ever seen on Broadway and now it's a shame that it's gone and was only a limited engagement.
