I have been listening to the Kinks for decades. When I heard that lead singer Ray Davies had written a play about the band and that the play was running at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, I leaped at the chance. Friday night, we enjoyed the local performance of "Sunny Afternoon."

Named for one of The Kinks' hit songs, this musical takes us on a journey as four lads evolve from working-class London teenagers to rock icons. The story centers around the rise of the band and its effect on the members. Songwriter/singer Ray is troubled that he must focus on things other than music; his brother Dave falls to the temptations of fame, living a life of sex and drugs; drummer Mick Avery feuds with Dave; and drummer Pete Quaife - Ray's childhood best friend - laments the changing relationship of the friends.

Danny Horne is very good as the cerebral but flamboyant Ray, but Oliver Hoare steals the show as the manic Dave.

The story is solid, but it is not uncommon for a rock band to experience similar turmoil when facing meteoric success. The music sets this one apart. Ray Davies's compositions progress the narrative and entertain the audience. Songs like "A Well Respected Man," "Stop Your Sobbing," and "Where Have All the Good Times Gone" rocked the hall throughout the evening. But "Waterloo Sunset" sounded like an anthem at the show's end. After taking a bow, the boys returned to the stage to perform a medley of "Lola," "All Day and All of the Night," and "You Really Got Me" as the audience rose to its feet and danced.

It was a great ending to a very good show.