The Last Days of Rockin Rob's

"The Last Days of Rockin Rob's," being performed in Artist Exchange's black box theatre, is a bittersweet tribute to a fading way of life: the small business in America.

Rockin' Rob's is a New York City record store facing extinction. There are few customers looking for vinyl records as its small but loyal staff struggle to pay the increasing cost of rent.

There's eccentric Chris (David Adams Murphy), who has fallen out of love with music and wants to fix the house his parents left him.

Jake (John Cillino), cynical but good-hearted, laments the gentrification of the neighborhood and makes fun of Chris, who has been managing the store in Rob's absence.

Sarah (Kathleen Russell) has been taking care of Rob (well-played by newcomer Stephen Hug) who has been in declining health for many years.

Visitors to the store include Albany (Rachel Nadeau), an aspiring musician with a secret connection to Rob; and Bill, Rob's estranged former partner who is now the landlord of the building.

Playwright Nick Albanese ("The Last Sicilian") based his characters on the real-life inhabitants of a record store in Greenwich Village.

Albanese, who plays Bill, creates believable dialogue and lets the story unfold at a natural pace. We are given the ability to really know who these people are and what they want out of life.

Director Bethany Angeloni, who also helmed Albanese's "Everybody Needs Therapy Sometimes," generates winning performances from the cast.

Russell is outstanding as a woman who is heartbroken over Rob's illness and the slow death of his dream.

A very nice scene has Sarah looking at old photos of Rob with famous musicians. They are poignant reminders of happier days.

Nadeau is charming and sympathetic and has a terrific rapport in her scenes with Russell. These are two very well-drawn characters.

Cillino and Murphy wear T-shirts bearing the logos of famous rock groups and engage in some amusing verbal warfare.

The villain in this story is Bill, who is motivated by pure greed. Albanese could've gone for a slick caricature of a heartless big-city businessman, but he shows the guy's human side.

"The Last Days of Rockin Rob's" is a tribute to the American dream and the small business owner, as well as a reflection of the evolving nature of society.

Rob's employees laud him for his knowledge and love of music. He is a man who has been able to stay ahead of all the musical trends through the years: punk, new wave, disco, alternative, etc. They are loyal to a man for whom they have a great deal of affection.

With the popularity of online shopping, the smaller stores which sell music are slowly closing their doors. Rockin Rob's is more than a place to buy records. It is like a haven for people who enjoy and appreciate music.

We are left to wonder how many Robs are out there, and what is happening to their dreams.

"The Last Days of Rockin Rob's" runs through June 23. Last Sicilian Productions. Artists Exchange - Black box Theatre. 50 Rolfe Square, Cranston. For tickets, visit Artists' Exchange