More Theater Monday - Rolling Thunder

We received complimentary tickets to Rolling Thunder for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own. 

What: Rolling Thunder 

Where: New World Stages

             340 W. 50th St. 

             New York, NY

Who: Recommended for Ages 13 and Up

When: Through September 7, 2025

Rolling Thunder tells the story of the Vietnam War through a series of existing songs from the '60s and '70s. They include "All Along the Watchtower", "Gimme Shelter", "Magic Carpet Ride", and many more.  There is a plot to the show, but mostly the characters don't interact with each other much. Rather, the story is mostly told through song and through characters reading letters they have written to one another. Both the singing and the letters are quite emotional and passionate; thus, the audience is still able to feel for and relate to the characters. Knowing that the characters and the letters are based on composites of real people and actual letters written makes it all even more emotional. 

The show doesn't shy away from depicting some of the harsher realities of war, and it can be heartbreaking at times. Although it can be quite emotionally distressing, there is no actual blood or gore or anything like that depicted.  It can also be overwhelmingly loud at times, particularly during the opening number. Accordingly, we would not recommend it for young children or anyone with especially sensitive hearing. 

The show significantly favors an anti-war sentiment, although most of the characters are soldiers. Thus, it can be more easily enjoyed by those who share this sentiment and don't need their musicals to be light and happy all the time. 

And that's our view. For more about Rolling Thunder or to purchase tickets, visit rollingthunderus.com.

Tune in tomorrow for Tips for Tuesday.

Photo credits:

All Rolling Thunder production photos by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

Images used in this post were sent by publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms and are used by permission.  Address any concerns regarding the use of any image here.