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Iowa Falls Hosts Screening of Chad Gervichs Rock Documentary to Benefit Local Music Program
On September 20, the historic Metropolitan Opera House in Iowa Falls will play host to two screenings of Chad Gervich’s documentary If These Walls Could Rock. The venue, a landmark that has witnessed generations of performances, will once again echo with the sounds of rock history. The event, scheduled for 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., is a benefit for the Iowa Falls‑Alden music program, with all ticket and raffle proceeds earmarked for local music education.
After a pre‑show reception, the evening will feature a Q&A with Gervich and Iowa Falls‑Alden music directors Jeff Schmitt and Brandon Waring. Following the 7 p.m. screening, a raffle will draw prizes, and the money raised will go straight to supporting music instruction in the community.
Gervich, who grew up in the shadow of the Metropolitan Opera House, described the theater as a second home. He recalled spending “probably at the Met Theatre every week for most of my childhood and teenage years” and said that seeing a film in the same space was a dream come true. His early musical experiences—four years in choir, high‑school productions, and concerts ranging from KISS to New Kids on the Block—laid the groundwork for his later work in music documentaries.
His first major documentary, I Wanna Rock: The 80s Metal Dream for Paramount+, was a year‑long journey that took him backstage with legends such as Bruce Springsteen and Ringo Starr. Gervich called that project “one of the most fun things that I have ever done in my entire, entire life,” a sentiment that carried over into If These Walls Could Rock.
The film, adapted from Craig Williams’ book of the same name, traces the history of Los Angeles’ Sunset Marquis Hotel, a venue that has served as a creative hub for generations of musicians. Directed by Tyler Measom and Craig A. Williams, the documentary features interviews with Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr, Dave Grohl, Roger Daltrey, Gene Simmons, Slash, and others, while Billy Bob Thornton provides the narration. The film highlights the hotel’s basement, home to NightBird Recording Studio, where artists such as Bob Dylan, U2, and Prince have recorded.
Production spanned roughly two years, and Gervich noted that coordinating schedules for the high‑profile artists proved challenging. At one point the film was complete, but Springsteen’s participation required additional funding and a new shoot. The final cut was trimmed to a runtime of ninety minutes, leaving out several stories that were ultimately cut.
The Metropolitan Opera House itself is a landmark of Iowa Falls. Built in 1899 by the Omeyer & Thori firm, the theater originally seated over 800 patrons and has hosted opera, film, and community events. A restoration in 1993 preserved its historic character. For Gervich, the benefit event is a full‑circle moment, bringing him back to the venue that nurtured his early love of performance.
If These Walls Could Rock premiered digitally on August 14 on Apple TV and Amazon Prime. The Iowa Falls screening is the first public U.S. showing, offering local audiences a chance to experience the film in a historic setting while supporting music education.
The event will run through the evening, with the final raffle drawing held after the 7 p.m. screening. No further dates for the film’s release or additional benefit events have been announced at this time.
After a pre‑show reception, the evening will feature a Q&A with Gervich and Iowa Falls‑Alden music directors Jeff Schmitt and Brandon Waring. Following the 7 p.m. screening, a raffle will draw prizes, and the money raised will go straight to supporting music instruction in the community.
Gervich, who grew up in the shadow of the Metropolitan Opera House, described the theater as a second home. He recalled spending “probably at the Met Theatre every week for most of my childhood and teenage years” and said that seeing a film in the same space was a dream come true. His early musical experiences—four years in choir, high‑school productions, and concerts ranging from KISS to New Kids on the Block—laid the groundwork for his later work in music documentaries.
His first major documentary, I Wanna Rock: The 80s Metal Dream for Paramount+, was a year‑long journey that took him backstage with legends such as Bruce Springsteen and Ringo Starr. Gervich called that project “one of the most fun things that I have ever done in my entire, entire life,” a sentiment that carried over into If These Walls Could Rock.
The film, adapted from Craig Williams’ book of the same name, traces the history of Los Angeles’ Sunset Marquis Hotel, a venue that has served as a creative hub for generations of musicians. Directed by Tyler Measom and Craig A. Williams, the documentary features interviews with Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr, Dave Grohl, Roger Daltrey, Gene Simmons, Slash, and others, while Billy Bob Thornton provides the narration. The film highlights the hotel’s basement, home to NightBird Recording Studio, where artists such as Bob Dylan, U2, and Prince have recorded.
Production spanned roughly two years, and Gervich noted that coordinating schedules for the high‑profile artists proved challenging. At one point the film was complete, but Springsteen’s participation required additional funding and a new shoot. The final cut was trimmed to a runtime of ninety minutes, leaving out several stories that were ultimately cut.
The Metropolitan Opera House itself is a landmark of Iowa Falls. Built in 1899 by the Omeyer & Thori firm, the theater originally seated over 800 patrons and has hosted opera, film, and community events. A restoration in 1993 preserved its historic character. For Gervich, the benefit event is a full‑circle moment, bringing him back to the venue that nurtured his early love of performance.
If These Walls Could Rock premiered digitally on August 14 on Apple TV and Amazon Prime. The Iowa Falls screening is the first public U.S. showing, offering local audiences a chance to experience the film in a historic setting while supporting music education.
The event will run through the evening, with the final raffle drawing held after the 7 p.m. screening. No further dates for the film’s release or additional benefit events have been announced at this time.
