Revolution(s) at Goodman...an actual new ROCK musical

[MidWestTheater]

Posted: 10/10/25 at 10:18am

Last night, I had the chance to attend a preview of Revolution(s), a new musical from Tom Morello, guitarist of Rage Against the Machine—and this show just might have serious legs. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a genuine rock musical (maybe not since Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), and this absolutely fits the bill. The story’s relevance—especially with everything happening in Chicago right now—could help turn this into a breakout hit beyond its current run.

The musical centers on twin brothers from the South Side of Chicago. One has just gone AWOL and returned home, while the other is trying to make it as a musician—though he’s always lived in the shadow of his more naturally gifted, soldier sibling. Their father has been incarcerated since they were infants, and as the narrative unfolds, we learn the events that led to his imprisonment.

Revolution(s) weaves two storylines: the present-day lives of the twins and the past story of their parents, before they were born. It’s a show about revolutionary legacies, generational battles, and the idea that the fight never really ends. There are definitely some parallels with the new Paul Thomas Anderson film.

That said, the book could use tightening. There are moments when multiple plot threads are playing out onstage at once, making it difficult to track who’s who and what’s happening. I also wasn’t fully sold on a particular plot development near the end involving one of the characters. But even with those issues, the music more than makes up for it.

This is not “Broadway rock” or “Broadway rap”—this is the real thing. The score is electric, raw, and unlike anything currently on stage. Honestly, if Tom Morello released it as an album, it would stand on its own as a phenomenal piece of work.

The entire cast delivers, but for me, the standout performance came from Chicago actor Al’Jaleel McGhee as Leon, the father. He’s funny, vulnerable, and devastating—his final scene with one of his sons is especially powerful.

If you're in Chicago this fall, Revolution(s) is worth seeing. I’m curious to see whether it has a life beyond the Goodman. Also, a fun side note: I spotted New York Times critic Elizabeth Vincentelli at the merch kiosk—not reviewing the show, but apparently working on a piece about the Goodman Theatre’s 100th anniversary.

[Hey, Zelda!]

Posted: 10/10/25 at 1:06pm

New music, or pulled from Morello's pre-existing body of work? This interview in the Tribune makes it sound like the latter:

Speaking truth to power: Tom Morello on his Goodman debut, activist art and growing up in Libertyville