ArtistDirect News
Hollywood Producer Chad Gervich Screens Rock Documentary at Iowa Falls Metropolitan Theatre
On September 20, 2026, Hollywood‑based producer Chad Gervich will host a benefit screening of his documentary If These Walls Could Rock at Iowa Falls’ Metropolitan Theatre. Two showings—3 p.m. and 7 p.m.—will be followed by a reception, a Q&A with Gervich and music‑program directors from his alma‑mater, and a raffle.
Gervich grew up attending performances at the Metropolitan Theatre, a landmark that opened in 1899 and was restored to its historic grandeur in 2013. He has recalled the theater’s “sticky floors” and balcony seating as formative influences, and he has long dreamed of seeing a film screened there. The event is a benefit for the music programs at the school he attended.
If These Walls Could Rock is a 90‑minute documentary that chronicles the Sunset Marquis Hotel in West Hollywood, a venue that has hosted rock stars for more than six decades. Directed by Tyler Measom and Craig A. Williams, the film features interviews and archival footage from musicians such as Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr, Slash, Dave Grohl, Roger Daltrey, Gene Simmons, and others. Gervich produced the film, contributing to research, question development, and narrative shaping.
The project began after Measom and Williams met while working on the Paramount+ series I Wanna Rock: The ’80s Metal Dream, in which Gervich served as co‑executive producer. He has described the Sunset Marquis as a “living history” where musicians would jam spontaneously, leading to the creation of songs. The hotel’s basement houses NightBird Recording Studio, where artists such as Bob Dylan, U2, and Prince have recorded.
Production spanned roughly two years. Gervich noted that the team secured appearances from high‑profile artists, including a late‑stage addition of Bruce Springsteen after the film was already finished. Scheduling challenges were common, with artists’ availability shifting and the project extending beyond its initial timeline.
During the Iowa Falls event, Gervich will discuss the film’s creation and his personal connection to the venue. He will be joined by Jeff Schmitt and Brandon Waring, music‑program directors from his alma‑mater, for a Q&A session. The reception will precede each screening, and a raffle will be held after the 7 p.m. showing.
The Metropolitan Theatre’s historic setting provides a fitting backdrop for a film that chronicles the evolution of rock music. The benefit aims to raise funds for local music education, ensuring that future generations in Iowa Falls have access to similar opportunities.
Tickets are available through the Metropolitan Theatre’s box office. The screening offers a unique chance for residents to experience a Hollywood‑produced documentary in a historic local theater while supporting music education.
The event marks a full‑circle moment for Gervich, who has maintained a lifelong passion for music and a strong connection to his hometown. By pairing a film about iconic rock history with a benefit for local music programs, the event underscores the enduring influence of music across generations.
The Metropolitan Theatre’s reopening in 2013, which featured actor Hugh Jackman, set a precedent for community events. The upcoming screening continues that tradition, blending cultural heritage with contemporary storytelling.
The event will conclude with a raffle and a final thank‑you from Gervich, who expressed gratitude for the opportunity to give back to the community that shaped his early love of music.
The screening is a notable example of how local venues can host national productions, and it highlights the ongoing relationship between music education and the broader entertainment industry.
Gervich grew up attending performances at the Metropolitan Theatre, a landmark that opened in 1899 and was restored to its historic grandeur in 2013. He has recalled the theater’s “sticky floors” and balcony seating as formative influences, and he has long dreamed of seeing a film screened there. The event is a benefit for the music programs at the school he attended.
If These Walls Could Rock is a 90‑minute documentary that chronicles the Sunset Marquis Hotel in West Hollywood, a venue that has hosted rock stars for more than six decades. Directed by Tyler Measom and Craig A. Williams, the film features interviews and archival footage from musicians such as Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr, Slash, Dave Grohl, Roger Daltrey, Gene Simmons, and others. Gervich produced the film, contributing to research, question development, and narrative shaping.
The project began after Measom and Williams met while working on the Paramount+ series I Wanna Rock: The ’80s Metal Dream, in which Gervich served as co‑executive producer. He has described the Sunset Marquis as a “living history” where musicians would jam spontaneously, leading to the creation of songs. The hotel’s basement houses NightBird Recording Studio, where artists such as Bob Dylan, U2, and Prince have recorded.
Production spanned roughly two years. Gervich noted that the team secured appearances from high‑profile artists, including a late‑stage addition of Bruce Springsteen after the film was already finished. Scheduling challenges were common, with artists’ availability shifting and the project extending beyond its initial timeline.
During the Iowa Falls event, Gervich will discuss the film’s creation and his personal connection to the venue. He will be joined by Jeff Schmitt and Brandon Waring, music‑program directors from his alma‑mater, for a Q&A session. The reception will precede each screening, and a raffle will be held after the 7 p.m. showing.
The Metropolitan Theatre’s historic setting provides a fitting backdrop for a film that chronicles the evolution of rock music. The benefit aims to raise funds for local music education, ensuring that future generations in Iowa Falls have access to similar opportunities.
Tickets are available through the Metropolitan Theatre’s box office. The screening offers a unique chance for residents to experience a Hollywood‑produced documentary in a historic local theater while supporting music education.
The event marks a full‑circle moment for Gervich, who has maintained a lifelong passion for music and a strong connection to his hometown. By pairing a film about iconic rock history with a benefit for local music programs, the event underscores the enduring influence of music across generations.
The Metropolitan Theatre’s reopening in 2013, which featured actor Hugh Jackman, set a precedent for community events. The upcoming screening continues that tradition, blending cultural heritage with contemporary storytelling.
The event will conclude with a raffle and a final thank‑you from Gervich, who expressed gratitude for the opportunity to give back to the community that shaped his early love of music.
The screening is a notable example of how local venues can host national productions, and it highlights the ongoing relationship between music education and the broader entertainment industry.