Rock Opera 1972 Sets World Premiere at American Repertory Theater

The Massachusetts company will also bring Mexodus and a Diane Paulus-directed Rhinoceros to its stages in its 2026-2027 season.

April 15, 2026 By Logan Culwell-Block

A new rock opera inspired by the true story of underground abortion rights group Jane Collective will make its world premiere at Massachusetts' American Repertory Theater this fall, part of the Cambridge company's newly announced 2026-2027 season. Performances will begin October 27 at Harvard's Farkas Hall, continuing its run through November 22.

The work features a score by musician-activist Chadwick Stokes of Boston indie band Dispatch, and a book by Stokes and Jessie Nelson (Waitress), who's also directing the premiere. The musical follows a 19-year-old woman who escapes an illegal abortion and then meets the Janes, an underground network of feminists working to give women access to abortions regardless of their legality. Stokes will also perform in the musical, alongside a cast of fellow actor-musicians to be announced.

The company's season will open with a revival of Eugène Ionesco's Rhinoceros, performing August 12-September 20 at Loeb Drama Center. The production, which will use a translation by Derek Prouse and adapted by A.R.T., will be the final production helmed by Artistic Director Diane Paulus before the theatre moves to a new home at the David E. and Stacey L. Goel Center for Creativity & Performance next year.

Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson will bring their Mexodus to the Loeb Drama Center December 4, 2026-January 10, 2027, coming to A.R.T. following a national tour and two Off-Broadway bows. A final production for the season, the inaugural offering at the Goel Center, remains to be announced.

Subscription tickets will go on sale later this month. Single tickets for Rhinoceros go on sale June 25, with general sale dates for the season's other productions to be announced. Visit AmericanRepertoryTheater.org.