Rock & Roll Revival
2026 was the 17th production of this biennial all-high school student musical and theatrical production featuring around 200 singers, dancers, musicians, crew, and creative team, with professional sound.
Each year's theme and song list is unique. 2026's "R&R Avenue XVII" featured 32 songs spanning 1934 to 2024 and was modeled after First Avenue, Minneapolis' legendary music venue: matte black, iconic silver stars painted on black brick, live band music, and quick changes between sets and performers to mimic a cohesive rock band concert.
The Northfield History Center honored the show's 30th anniversary with an installation and exhibit celebrating the history of this show and its impact on the community. All six performances sold out weeks before opening night; that translates to roughly 4,450 tickets in a community of 22,000 people. Rock & Roll isn't just a high school production, it's a professional-level production and beloved community tradition.
Creative Director: Ray Coudret
Choreographed by: Shari Setchell, Amber Barksdale, Emma Kmoch, Jana Hirsch
Vocal Coach: Sam Dwyer
Assistant Vocal Coach: Bob Gregory- Bjorklund
Band Leader: Craig Wasner
Sound: Roger Fette from Fette Productions
Stage Manager: Aurelia Graves
Elements
- Cast of 173, Crew of 12
- Rock and Roll Concert
- Team of 22 adults
Sitzprobe
Sitzprobe was on Valentine's Day. I had been selected as Stage Manager 9 months prior. After months of paperwork, scheduling, and logistics management, it was rewarding and energizing to see and hear the work come together.
Alone - Heart
Sung by Emily & Kate Johnson
Alone was a logistics nightmare; 2 techies had to move a grand piano on stage while 35 performers were exiting. Alone was split on who did the guitar solo. On the penultimate night, the drummer got sick, and one of the others had to fill in. We were all stressed; Alone has a big drum part, and the new drummer sight-read the music on stage after playing it once for auditions 5 months prior. His performance was nearly flawless. It was amazing to work with others with high standards for their craft and professionalism. The transition to the song following was also logistically challenging. 2 techies moved the grand piano off the stage while other techies set up 16 chairs symmetrically. The Creative Director allotted 45 seconds to make the transition; we met that goal 90 percent of the time, and by closing night, we had it down to 30 seconds.
Fever - Natalie Cole & Ray Charles
I put my ASM in charge of Fever. The song before was a guitar quartet on the stage, and we had to plug them in and out because one of the main singers was going to sing in the song after Fever ( Money Changes Everything ). Many of the transitions were planned down to the second; for the transition into Fever, we had spots to stand backstage and an order at the end to sprint out. Fever also entered from the opposite side of the stage that I was on; I wasn't able to see them. Delegating to my ASM was an exercise in trust and it was a good reminder for me that we work as a team.
Money Changes Everything
- Cyndi Lauper
Sung by Kyra Reverman
Money Changes Everything was one of the final songs. It was 5 minutes of high-energy belting while the performer moved from the stage into the audience. The choreographer envisioned an emulation of Cyndi Lauper. The tech challenge was the fast turnaround from the previous song and moving mics and plugging in and out guitars from the stage onto the lofted bandstand.
