The Tony Award-winning play "Stereophonic" is set to open in London's West End this month, following a successful run on Broadway that included a legal challenge related to its similarities to the history of the band Fleetwood Mac. The play, written by David Adjmi with music by Will Butler, centers on a fictional five-piece Anglo-American rock band recording an album in California in 1976 under strained personal circumstances.
The play's narrative structure and character dynamics have drawn frequent comparisons to Fleetwood Mac's recording of their landmark 1977 album, "Rumours," which took place in California studios in 1976 amidst significant internal conflict among the band members. Both the real-life Fleetwood Mac lineup during this period and the band depicted in "Stereophonic" include a British drummer, a British bass player, a British female vocalist-pianist, an American male guitarist-vocalist, and an American female vocalist.
"Stereophonic" received widespread acclaim, earning a record 13 Tony Award nominations and winning five, including Best Play. Its transfer to London is anticipated after its New York success.
The similarities prompted a lawsuit filed in October by Ken Caillat, who co-produced "Rumours," and Steven Stiefel, his co-author on the book "Making Rumours: The Inside Story of the Classic Fleetwood Mac Album." The complaint alleged that the play copied key elements, structure, and dialogue from their book, particularly its perspective as told from the producer's point of view.
Specific allegations included likenesses in the stage set, mirroring the studio environment described in the book, and narrative points such as the producer's promotion during the recording process. The complaint detailed alleged replicated anecdotes and conversations from the recording sessions.
The legal action was settled out of court in January on terms that were not publicly disclosed. Caillat stated in an interview that the case was "resolved on mutually agreeable terms."
Adjmi has maintained that the play is a "fantasia" and draws inspiration from various bands and sources, not exclusively Fleetwood Mac. He told Variety in April 2024 that while similarities to the "Making Rumours" book were "unintentional," the whole story of the play is invented.
Members of Fleetwood Mac reportedly have not seen the play. Stevie Nicks indicated she was unaware of it in a recent interview, and other living members have not attended performances according to reports.
Developments continue surrounding related projects. Adjmi has expressed interest in adapting "Stereophonic" for the screen, while Caillat and Stiefel say their book has also garnered interest from Hollywood. An authorized documentary about Fleetwood Mac, directed by Frank Marshall, is in production for Apple TV+.
Speaking about his experience recording "Rumours," Ken Caillat described it as the highlight of his young adult life. "I loved working with Fleetwood Mac, making them sound even better than they do in real life, putting my magic into the sound," Caillat said. "You never know when you're going to be part of history, so always strive to do your best."
