Rush’s 1976 live album *All the World’s a Stage* captured the band’s forceful, intricate performances and helped establish them as a major rock act. The article argues that while *2112* was their breakthrough, the live album showed audiences how their ambitious progressive rock worked on stage and strengthened the following that would support their later commercial success.

The band had faced uncertainty after *Caress of Steel* sold poorly, prompting label pressure to make more radio-friendly music. Rush instead released the expansive *2112*, which reached number five in Canada and number 61 on the US Billboard 200. Recorded across three June performances at Toronto’s Massey Hall during the *2112* tour, *All the World’s a Stage* showcased the group’s musical interplay and updated versions of older songs; their next studio album was *A Farewell to Kings* in 1977.