"1972" - by Chadwick Stokes and Jessie Nelson - American Repertory Theater (Cambridge, MA.) - REVIEW
(Cover Photo: Brit King as "Jane," Hannah Foxman as "Jane/Lawyer," Khaila Wilcoxon as "Harlan," Darby Patterson as "Jane" and Jackera Davis as "Louisa" in a moment from the rock opera "1972" by Chadwick Stokes and Jessie Nelson now playing at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA. through December 6, 2026. Photo Credit: Hawver and Hall)
By Kevin T. Baldwin
METRMAG Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
"There was a rumble in the ground below. Then it all fell down. Is there room for one more Jane?”
- ("Jane") - Chadwick Stokes and Jessie Nelson
American Repertory Theater
Presents Chadwick Stokes' Rock Opera
"1972"
World Premiere!
Created by Chadwick Stokes
Music and Lyrics by Chadwick Stokes
Book by Chadwick Stokes and Jessie Nelson
Directed by Jessie Nelson
Music Director Jacob Yates
Choreographer Jill Johnson
Cast Includes: Darren Buck as “Eddy/Dr. Don/Officer O’Reilly,” Jackera Davis as “Louisa,” Hannah Foxman as “Jane/Lawyer,” Brit King as “Jane,” JR King as “Demi,” Gracie McGraw as “Hannah,” Jhardon DiShon Milton as “Ensemble/Milt,” Tommy Ng as “Ensemble,” Darby Patterson as “Jane,” Chadwick Stokes as “Depot,” Will Urmston as “Pinto,” Khaila Wilcoxon as “Harlan.”
Additional Creative Team:
Scenic Design - Amy Rubin; Costume Design - Nicole Jescinth Smith; Lighting Design - Ben Stanton; Sound Design - Justin Stasiw; Hair, Wig and Make-up Design - Krystal Balleza; Casting - The Telsey Office / Bethany Knox, CSA; Associate Director and Choreographer - Abbey O’Brien; Production Stage Manager - Sarah Elizabeth Ford.
Performances:
October 27, 2026 through December 6, 2026
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
Performances to be held at Farkas Hall at Harvard University, 12 Holyoke Street, Cambridge, MA. 02138
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(Warning: The following review contains spoilers)
American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) brings the hammer down with a fabulous and timely new rock opera "1972" now playing at Farkas Hall in Cambridge.
Collaborating on the musical’s book with Jessie Nelson (“Waitress,” “I Am Sam”), "1972" has been created by musician Chadwick Stokes of the Boston-based indie bands “DISPATCH” and “State Radio” and it is simply exhilarating from start to finish.
The 12-member actor/musician cast is exceptional at telling an extremely well-timed story for which a contributing factor in its overwhelming enjoyment at the November 4th performance just might have been the result of recent election results.
The A.R.T. story focuses on Hannah (Gracie McGraw) who, at the start of "1972," is trapped in an abusive relationship with little or no options available to her – a sign of the times.
My, how far we have come.
McGraw is terrific as Hannah, who discovers she is pregnant and makes the courageous decision to escape her situation.
For her own reasons (which do not require ANY outside judgment), Hannah does not want to have the baby.
So, she decides she needs to find some safe place where she can have an abortion.
However, Hannah has no idea where that "safe place" might be.
(Photo: The CAST of the rock opera "1972" by Chadwick Stokes and Jessie Nelson now playing at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA. through December 6, 2026. Photo Credit: Hawver and Hall)
Lost at a railyard, Hannah meets up with Depot (Chadwick Stokes), who is gathered around a campfire with his buddies Pinto (Will Urmston) and Eddy (Darren Buck), jamming as they await to hop aboard a boxcar on a cargo train headed for points unknown.
Playing riveting guitar parts throughout the majority of his performance, Stokes is equally compelling as the more seasoned Depot, later showing us a more vulnerable side of the character as Depot confesses to Hannah that he hopes to one day re-connect with someone close to him.
Both Urmston and Buck are terrific in their supporting roles with Buck versatile at taking on a variety of characters.
(Photo: Will Urmston as “Pinto,” Chadwick Stokes as “Depot” and Darren Buck as “Eddy” in a moment from of the rock opera "1972" by Chadwick Stokes and Jessie Nelson now playing at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA. through December 6, 2026. Photo Credit: Hawver and Hall)
As Hannah hops aboard a moving boxcar with the trio, she finds unexpected camaraderie as they travel, sharing their own tales of woe, some of which are rooted in varied Vietnam War experiences of the day.
The male triumvirate of travelers try to aid Hannah by getting her to a known illegal abortionist, one not known for practicing in an antiseptic clinic under sanitary conditions, but at some rundown backroom where the “practitioners” could hardly be considered medically proficient.
Before the procedure can occur, Hannah and fellow patient Louisa (Jackera Davis) barely escape with their lives and, just as they reunite with Hannah’s traveling companions, soon tragedy strikes.
(Photo: Gracie McGraw as “Hannah” and Chadwick Stokes as “Depot” in a moment from the rock opera "1972" by Chadwick Stokes and Jessie Nelson now playing at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA. through December 6, 2026. Photo Credit: Hawver and Hall)
Even though traumatized by her first experience, Hannah, encouraged by her new-found allies, makes a daring second attempt once she is given a mysterious phone number to call.
Enter the "Janes," comprised of the female members of the ensemble: Darby Patterson, Jackera Davis, Hannah Foxman, Brit King (King also exceptional as supporting violinist) - all seemingly led by Harlan (Khaila Wilcoxon).
The Janes turn out to be members of an underground network of courageous women who risk everything to provide a choice to women with nowhere to turn.
Propelling forward the A.R.T. rock opera, the entire "1972" cast members are all equally talented musicians, all performing well on multiple instruments throughout the intensified concert.
Including Stokes (on guitar) and Urmston (on multiple instruments, including banjo and horns), several of the actor-musicians, including drummer JR King and bassist Tommy Ng, play virtually non-stop throughout the opera's runtime of 90-minutes.
(Photo: Brit King as "Jane," Hannah Foxman as "Jane/Lawyer," Khaila Wilcoxon as "Harlan," Darby Patterson as "Jane" and Jackera Davis as "Louisa" in a moment from the rock opera "1972" by Chadwick Stokes and Jessie Nelson now playing at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA. through December 6, 2026. Photo Credit: Hawver and Hall)
The set design is bare minimum but is enhanced by using mostly specialized sound and lighting and doing so judiciously and, overall, exceptionally well.
The journey of "1972" begins in January of that tumultuous year with the story starting off on one track as Depot and Hannah meet and hop onto a train together.
However, their trek down the track quickly takes a turn along the rails, leading you onto an adjoining second track, filled with multiple twists and turns.
As her personal odyssey continues, Hannah finds both courage and endurance within herself thanks to a group of resolute women.
These women, in an ongoing fight for personal freedom, hold their ground and, against the law and against all odds, attempt to offer DENIED care to others who have no money, no resources, no support system and, ultimately, no place to turn.
(Photo: Brit King as "Jane," Hannah Foxman as "Jane/Lawyer," Gracie McGraw as “Hannah,” Khaila Wilcoxon as "Harlan," Darby Patterson as "Jane" and Jackera Davis as "Louisa" in a moment from the rock opera "1972" by Chadwick Stokes and Jessie Nelson now playing at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA. through December 6, 2026. Photo Credit: Hawver and Hall)
Take a plane, a bike, a skateboard, a car or even just hop aboard a cargo train, but do not miss the powerful and exhilarating "1972" which continues at A.R.T. at Farkas Hall, Harvard University in Cambridge, MA. until December 6th, 2026.
Coming up at A.R.T. will be "MEXODUS" by Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson, beginning December 4th, 2026 and running through January 10th, 2027.
For tickets and more information, visit AmericanRepertoryTheater.org
Approximately 90 minutes with no intermission.
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
A World Premiere Rock Opera!
THE AMERICAN REPERTORY THEATER (A.R.T.) at Harvard University's Loeb Drama Center will present the rock opera "1972."
When a pregnant Hannah flees an abusive relationship, she finds unexpected camaraderie with three outcasts riding the rails of America, outrunning ghosts of their own.
After barely escaping an illegal abortion, she meets the Janes, an underground network of courageous women who risk everything to provide a choice to women with nowhere to turn.
Inspired by true stories of these hidden heroes, this world-premiere rock opera fuels the ongoing fight for personal freedom.
"1972" is written by musician-activist Chadwick Stokes of the Boston-based indie bands DISPATCH and State Radio with Jessie Nelson ("Waitress," "I Am Sam"), who also directs.
ABOUT THE AMERICAN REPERTORY THEATER
MISSION
THE AMERICAN REPERTORY THEATER (A.R.T.) at Harvard University is dedicated to expanding the boundaries of theater, always including the audience as a partner.
VISION
We focus on the research and development of groundbreaking theatrical experiences that catalyze dialogue and transformation. We believe that by engaging our hearts, minds, and bodies, theater has the power to heal and imagine collective pathways forward. We commit to advancing public health in our practice and our programming, recognizing that racism in America is a national public health crisis. Our new home in Allston will be a breathable and healthy building envisioned as a town hall for the twenty-first century. Inspired by the model of a teaching hospital, the building will be a vibrant center for research, experiential pedagogy, and performance. We build community with our audiences, artists, students, staff, and neighbors across Greater Boston, embracing theater’s power to cultivate the full breadth and beauty of our shared humanity. We affirm and celebrate a multitude of perspectives and experiences that reflect the diversity of our country and world. We are dedicated to making a welcoming and accessible space for people of any identity, background, or ability.
VALUES
We hold the institution and each other responsible and accountable for living our shared values. There is no hierarchy to these values; they are all equally important and interrelated. We acknowledge that as an institution we must devote time to implementing and sustaining these values:
- We center anti-racism
- Habituate anti-racist practices in our policies, structure, and culture
- We lead with inquiry
- Ask questions in a spirit of brave curiosity in our never-ending journey of learning and growth
- We believe in collaboration
- Work together with trust and respect to unlock collective creativity
- We practice adaptability
- Challenge assumptions and create capacity to support “next” practices
- We embrace regenerative practice
- Promote the health and vitality of our planet, our organization, and each other
