Kenneth Ferrone spoke about directing the new Off-Broadway musical “Rolling Thunder,” which is being performed at New World Stages in New York.
How did “Rolling Thunder” come about?
I was first introduced to Rolling Thunder by our Lead Producer, Rebecca Blake, who originally developed the show with writer Bryce Hallet, for Australian audiences.
Many people don’t realize that Australian and American forces were close allies and share parallel experiences in the Vietnam conflict (and both share great taste in rock music).
Rebecca’s passion for the project was infectious and her vision to expand the show for American audiences was clear.
We like to say the show is equal parts rock concert, documentary, and theatre. It’s fun, emotional, eye-opening, and an engaging tribute to our Veterans, their families, and to those currently serving.
It’s also wildly entertaining with iconic songs from artists like Steppenwolf, Jimi Hendrix, The Animals, Bob Dylan, Santana and more.
What motivates you each day as a creative?
I’m motivated every day by the people I surround myself with. Collaboration is at the heart of everything I do.
I love creating with other people, working with ensemble, and collectively exploring different points of view.
As a storyteller, I’m naturally curious and I thrive on the diverse talent, unique perspectives and individual ideas of others- whether it be actors, writers, designers, musicians, friends, family, or audiences alike.
On every project, I aim to establish a welcoming environment in both the theatre and the rehearsal studio where exploration can happen; an emotional and physical playground of sorts, where artists feel empowered to discover, question, and create with open hearts and minds; a place where possibility is endless.
What was it like working with Cassadee Pope and the cast?
The Rolling Thunder cast is truly exceptional – their talent, focus, and comradery can be felt far beyond the footlights.
From day one of rehearsal, they dove into these characters, what drives them, and how each song in the show affects them.
They each bring a keen sense of individuality to their roles, while also forming an ensemble that is present and connected to one another.
The rehearsal process for our show was very quick, and the cast came into rehearsal focused and open to sharing personal stories, life experiences, and research that deepened the nuances of our storytelling.
With this being a new work, we were making changes every day of rehearsal, and I so appreciated their gameness to play with new staging ideas, to workshop new dialogue, or to switch out verses of a song on the fly.
Cassadee was no exception. While she’s no longer a stranger to the stage, she recently remind me that this is the first role she originated, which is very exciting! As theatre makers, it’s a real privilege to be afforded the opportunity to develop new work, and Cassadee took to the challenge, along with everyone else.
The result is a collection of textured performances that our audiences connect with and care about. And those voices!
It’s not hyperbole when I say audiences would be hard pressed to find stronger, more powerful singing on any New York stage. They are rocking their faces off!
What did this show teach you about yourself?
This show reaffirmed my belief that it’s important to stay informed, to not shy away from difficult conversations with people who hold differing opinions, and to not be afraid to question, cross-reference and discuss what we see, read, and consume on our screens.
Vietnam was the first foreign war to be broadcast into living rooms. The design of our show incorporates TV screens and larger LED walls bombarding both characters and audience with a combination of historic newsreels, footage of Walter Cronkite, Presidents Johnson and Nixon, Dr. Martin Luther King and others, and a variety of images from the conflict abroad and from demonstrations at home.
As the show moves along, the lines begin to blur between reality and propaganda, between opinion and fact.
It’s a subversive and startling reminder of media’s power to inform the public and hold power accountable, but also, its role in declining public trust, misinformation and commercialism.
It was chilling to see how much, but also, how little, the landscape has changed.
What is your advice for people that wish to pursue a career on Broadway?
Study, train, observe, and get into as many rooms as you can. Talent is a huge component to establishing a professional career, but so is craft.
It’s one of the few professions where assisting, apprenticeships, or taking on smaller roles, provide opportunities to learn, to grow, and to discover who YOU want to be as an artist.
Theatre is an interpersonal profession; it’s built on relationships, collaboration, and emotion- practices that can’t be learned solely online or in a book.
The biggest challenge is getting in the door and finding that balance of supporting yourself (financially, physically, and mentally) while auditioning, taking classes, or writing that script.
You can’t compare yourself to others – that sounds cliché, but it’s important to remember that luck, timing, and opportunity present themselves to different people at different times.
I’m so heartened by all the scholarships, intern opportunities, and observerships that are opening doors for those who might not have had industry access before.
I’m also proud of those who prove you can raise a child, focus on family, or start a side business while simultaneously maintaining a professional career on Broadway.
It was not always that way. And finally, celebrate the wins. You got that callback – celebrate yourself. You heard your first play read aloud by a group of friends around your coffee table – celebrate that.
You got a PA job on a reading – you’re in the room – you’re meeting new people – celebrate that! It’s so easy to overlook the little milestones along the way.
What does the word success mean to you? (My favorite question)
To me, success is staying true to yourself and trying not to get lost along the way. And, when you inevitably DO get lost along the way, being able to follow the breadcrumbs until you get back on track.
Life is full twists and turns, moments of joy and moments of hardship.
Everyone- society, friends, family, work- has an idea of who you should be, what you should feel, or how you should act. It’s so easy sometimes to conform or fall in line.
For me, finding who you are, who you love, who you want to surround yourself with, and what you want to do with your life- that’s rare and the true measure of success.
What would you like to tell our readers about “Rolling Thunder”? (What’s the one thing you want them to get out of it)
With the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam conflict this year, I can’t think of a better time for this show, this music, and these stories.
It’s a beautiful tribute to our Veterans, to their families, and to those currently serving. That said, it’s not a period piece – quite the contrary.
Yes, there’s a huge element of nostalgia in the show, but, at the same time, it’s very much a contemporary rock show, with some of the most powerful singing on or off Broadway right now.
These songs and stories encourage us to learn from the past, to examine the present, and to look towards the future we hope to create together.
To quote the final lyric in our show, “Everybody get together, try to love one another right now.”
To learn more about the “Rolling Thunder” Off-Broadway musical, check out the official website.
