| Rock of Ages | |
|---|---|
Original Broadway Cast Recording |
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| Music | various |
| Lyrics | various |
| Book | Chris D'Arienzo |
| Productions | 2006 Los Angeles Trial 2008 Off-Broadway 2009 Broadway 2010 Toronto 2010 US Tour 2011 Melbourne 2011 West End 2011 San Francisco 2011 US Non Equity Tour 2012 Film |
Rock of Ages is a rock/jukebox musical, with a book by Chris D'Arienzo, built around classic rock hits from the 1980s, especially from the famous glam metal bands of the decade. The musical features songs from Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Steve Perry, Poison and Asia, among other well-known rock bands.[1] It is directed by Kristin Hanggi and choreographed by Kelly Devine with music supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations by Ethan Popp. The show is noted for being more lighthearted and comedic than other shows on Broadway. During performance, the performers frequently break the "fourth wall", directly addressing the audience and seemingly forgetting (or perhaps reminding the audience) that they are actors in a musical.
Contents |
Lonny Barnett, who serves as the show's narrator, sets up the story: In 1987, an aspiring rocker named Drew Boley works as a busboy in the Hollywood bar/club called The Bourbon Room, owned by Dennis Dupree ("Just Like Paradise/Nothing But A Good Time"). He falls instantly for a girl, Sherrie Christian, who just arrived from Kansas hoping to make it big in acting ("Sister Christian"). Drew convinces Dennis to hire Sherrie as a waitress.
German developers, Hertz and his son Franz, convince the city's Mayor to abandon the "sex, drugs and rock-n-roll" lifestyle of the Sunset Strip and introduce "clean living" into the area, much to the anger of the City Planner, Regina ("We Built This City"). When Dennis learns that part of the plan involves demolishing The Bourbon Room, he believes the club can generate more money by having rock star Stacee Jaxx and his band Arsenal, who recently announced their break-up, perform their last show at The Bourbon ("Too Much Time on My Hands"). He calls Stacee and convinces him to play the band's last show in the club where he began. As Drew struggles to write new lyrics, Sherrie urges him to go after his dreams ("I Wanna Rock"). Regina begins protesting Hertz and Franz's redevelopment plans ("We're Not Gonna Take It").
Later, after arguing with her parents during a phone call, Sherrie begins to discover feelings for Drew, who supports her dream. Also, Drew, auditioning to open for Arsenal, finds the lyrics he's been searching for and realizes that they have come from his feelings for Sherrie ("More Than Words/Heaven/To Be With You"). After obtaining the opening slot for Arsenal, Drew invites Sherrie to have a picnic in the hills overlooking Los Angeles ("Waiting For a Girl Like You"). There, he mistakenly suggests that the two are just friends to calm their nerves, disappointing both of them and ruining the date.
Stacee Jaxx arrives at The Bourbon and gives an interview about his life ("Wanted Dead or Alive"). Sherrie is immediately smitten with him, and believing she means nothing to Drew, has sex with Stacee in the men's room ("I Want To Know What Love Is"). While Stacee and Sherrie are copulating, Drew opens for Stacee and Arsenal, not knowing a record producer is in the audience. After their tryst, Stacee tells Dennis to fire Sherrie before the concert begins. His guitarist realizes what Stacee did and knocks him out. The record producer in the club was impressed with Drew's performance and suggests he take over for Stacee. He then offers Drew a contract, which he accepts. Sherrie seeks comfort from Drew after she is fired, but having seen her go into the men's room with Stacee, he dismisses her ("Come on Feel the Noize"). In the midst of these events, Regina continues her protest ("We're Not Gonna Take It [Reprise]").
An upset and unemployed Sherrie meets Justice Charlier, the owner of the nearby Venus Club which Justice prefers to call a gentleman's club. She relates to Sherrie's story, saying that many of the small-town girls hoping to hit it big in LA end up making a living as strippers. Grudgingly, Sherrie accepts Justice's offer to work in her club ("Harden My Heart/Shadows of the Night"). As the act closes, everyone is alone - Drew, as a new record company star; Sherrie, fending for herself as an exotic dancer; Regina protesting the redevelopment and Dennis, trying to save his club ("Here I Go Again").
Hertz and Franz begin demolition on the Sunset Strip, alienating them from each other as Franz falls for Regina and sees "the error of their ways". Dennis and Lonny join the fight with little success ("The Final Countdown"). Drew's rocker image is upsetting the record producer, and Sherrie is learning how things work at the Venus Club ("Any Way You Want It/I Wanna Rock [Reprise]"). When they meet on the street, Sherrie is embarrassed about her job and Drew is upset that his record company is attempting to reshape him into part of a boy band. They argue and Sherrie admits that she was crazy about Drew, but didn't make a move because he said they were friends. They part ways more troubled by these new revelations ("High Enough").
A drunken Stacee arrives at the Venus Club and is pleased to see Sherrie. After being forced to give him a lapdance, she beats him up while dancing ("I Hate Myself For Loving You/Heat Of The Moment"). Drew arrives to admit his feelings to her, but becomes angry when he sees the two in a suggestive position and storms off. Justice later tells Drew that as soon as he left, Sherrie punched Stacee in the jaw.
Regina continues her protest against the destruction of the Strip, but yields no success. She convinces Franz to stand up to his father if he does not believe in his father's vision. Franz admits he has his own dream, namely to open a confectioner's store in Germany. He rebels against his father and admits his love for Regina ("Hit Me With Your Best Shot"). Meanwhile, Dennis and Lonny, upset at the loss of The Bourbon Room, hilariously suggest they had feelings for each other ("Can't Fight This Feeling").
Sherrie decides to leave the Venus Club after the scene with Drew, and Justice tells her that she had a similar experience with her first love. Everyone is in turmoil as they attempt move on with their lives ("Every Rose Has Its Thorn"). Franz leaves for Germany and Hertz stands on the balcony of his hotel regretting the hurtful way he treated his son ("Keep on Lovin' You"). Regina arrives and explains to Hertz that Franz doesn't hate him, he just wants his father to support his dream. Hertz later returns the deed to the Bourbon Room to Dennis and invests in Franz's confectionery store.
Drew, now a pizza delivery boy, realizes none of his dreams have come true- he still isn't a rock star, and Sherrie is leaving on a midnight train. Lonny arrives and explains to Drew that his life is so miserable because they are all characters in a musical and that it was their book writer who made it so. He then tells Drew that if he wants a happy ending it's up to him to get the girl. Through this revelation Drew realizes that he doesn't need fame to make him happy, only Sherrie ("Oh Sherrie"). He reaches her at the train station in time and they realize their love has survived all their trials and reconcile ("The Search Is Over").
In the epilogue, The Bourbon Room is spared demolition and washed-up Stacee Jaxx, who has been charged with statutory rape, flees to Uruguay ("Renegade"). Franz opens his confectionery store in Germany and has a long distance relationship with Regina, who becomes the new mayor of West Hollywood. Dennis passes away, and Sherrie and Drew move to Glendale and start a family. Lonny notes that on The Strip, sometimes the dreams you come in with aren't always the dreams you leave with, but they still rock ("Don't Stop Believin'").
The musical premiered in Los Angeles at The Vanguard Hollywood in January 2006 where it played for six weeks. Laura Bell Bundy (Legally Blonde) played the role of Sherrie in this early production.[2]
| Character | Original LA Cast |
|---|---|
| Drew Dillenbeck | James Snyder |
| Sherrie Christian | Laura Bell Bundy |
| Lonny Barnett | Dan Finnerty |
| Stacee Jaxx | Chris Hardwick |
| Dennis Dupree | Kyle Gass |
| Franz Klinemann | Tom Lenk |
| Regina McKaig | Patty Wortham |
| Justice Charlier | Michele Mais |
| Mayor | Jeremy Rabb |
| Hertz Klinemann | David Holladay |
The Off-Broadway run began at New World Stages in New York City on October 16, 2008 and ran through January 4, 2009, featuring Constantine Maroulis, Paul Schoeffler and Will Swenson in the cast.[3]
The production transferred to Broadway at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre with previews beginning March 20, 2009, and officially opening on April 7, 2009.[4] The Broadway production temporarily closed on January 9, 2011 and moved to the Helen Hayes Theatre on March 24, 2011.[5]
The show's band has significant stage time compared to other musicals' bands and orchestras. The band was dressed in typical metal heads costumes as Stacee's back up band and they are always on stage. The drummer was placed inside a cage that jokingly said "Please don't feed the drummer". One of the guitarists in the stage band, Joel Hoekstra, is a member of Night Ranger(Sister Christian is performed in the show) and Trans Siberian Orchestra. Another guitarist Tommy Kessler is also a member of the band Blondie.[6]
The musical held an open call in October 2009 looking for fresh new faces. In December 2009 the cast was selected and quickly rehearsed for a performance on City TV's New Year's Eve Special. Previews began on April 20, 2010 at The Royal Alexandra Theater Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with the official opening on May 11, 2010. The cast included Elicia MacKenzie as Sherrie and Aaron Walpole as Lonny. The show closed with its final performance Sunday January 2, 2011.
The US tour began at The Bank of America Theatre in Chicago, Illinois on September 21, 2010 and wrapped at the National Theater in Washington, D.C. on July 24, 2011. The tour visited sixty additional venues. Tour stops included: Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale.[7] Constantine Maroulis reprised the role of Drew for the tour.
The Australian production officially premiered in Melbourne in April 2011 at the Comedy Theatre with previews from March 2011. Justin Burford is playing the role of Drew[8][9]
The production moved to Brisbane in November 2011, opening at the Lyric Theatre, QPAC, on 12th November 2011.
The Australian production closed after the final performance in Brisbane on 4 December 2011.
The UK production premiered in London's West End on August 31, 2011 at the Shaftesbury Theatre.[10] Opening night took place on September 27, 2011.[11] Amy Pemberton and Oliver Tompsett play the show's young lovers, Midwestern transplant Sherrie and wannabe rocker Drew. Celebrities Justin Lee Collins and Shayne Ward star as Dennis DuPree and Stacee Jaxx respectively. The cast also features Simon Lipkin (Lonny), Rohan Tickell (Hertz), Rachel McFarlane (Justice/Mother), Jodie Jacobs (Regina/Candi) and Sandy Moffat (Franz), as well as Nathan Amzi, Natalie Andreou, Grant Anthony, Carly Mercedes Dyer, Cordelia Farnworth, Ian McIntosh, Twinnie-Lee Moore, Jamie Muscato, Andrew Spillett, Zizi Strallen, Amy Thornton and Dylan Turner.[12]
A second national tour will launch on October 4, 2011 in Providence, Rhode Island, and will contain an entire non-equity cast. See http://www.rockofagesontour.com/ for more details.
Cast includes Dominique Scott as Drew, Shannon Mullen as Sherrie, Justin Colombo as Lonny, Matt Nolan as Stacee Jaxx/Father, Matt Ban as Dennis DuPree, Amma Osei as Justice/Mother, Stephen Michael Kane as Franz, Phillip Peterson as Hertz, and Katie Postotnik as Regina. The ensemble includes: Chris Sams, Joey Elrose, Wesley Faucher, Lisa Finegold, Tymisha "tush" Harris, Alyssa Herrera, Patrick Joyce, and Danny McHugh.
The film rights have been sold to Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema.[13] The film is to be directed by Adam Shankman and was originally expected to begin production in the summer of 2010,[14] but will now start shooting in May 2011, for a June 1, 2012 release in theaters.[15]
It has been confirmed that Constantine Maroulis will make an appearance in the film.[16] Joel Hoekstra will also make an appearance. It was confirmed on April 13, 2011 that Amy Adams would not have a part.[15] Anne Hathaway is also rumored to cameo as the reporter who interviews Stacee Jaxx during the song "Wanted Dead or Alive".[17]
| Role | Cast |
|---|---|
| Drew Boley | Diego Boneta[18] |
| Sherrie Christian | Julianne Hough[19] |
| Lonny | Russell Brand[15] |
| Stacee Jaxx | Tom Cruise[20] |
| Dennis | Alec Baldwin[21] |
| Justice | Mary J. Blige[19] |
| Stacee Jaxx's manager | Paul Giamatti[22] |
| The Mayor | Bryan Cranston |
| Mayor's Wife | Catherine Zeta-Jones |
| Constance Stack | Malin Ackerman[23] |
| Role | Original Broadway Cast | Current Broadway Cast | Original Toronto Cast | First National Tour Cast | Original Australian Cast | Original West End Cast | Second National Tour Cast |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drew Boley | Constantine Maroulis | Dan Domenech | Yvan Pedneault | Constantine Maroulis | Justin Burford | Oliver Tompsett | Dominique Scott |
| Sherrie Christian | Amy Spanger | Emily Padgett | Elicia MacKenzie | Rebecca Faulkenberry | Amy Lehpamer | Amy Pemberton | Shannon Mullen |
| Lonny/Record Company Man | Mitchell Jarvis | Genson Blimline | Aaron Walpole | Patrick Lewallen | Brent Hill | Simon Lipkin | Justin Colombo |
| Stacee Jaxx/Sherrie's Father | James Carpinello | Jeremy Woodard | Peter Deiwick | MiG Ayesa | Michael Falzon | Shayne Ward | Matt Nolan |
| Dennis/Record Company Man | Adam Dannheisser | Adam Dannheisser | David W. Keeley | Nick Codero | Anthony Harkin | Justin Lee Collins | Matt Ban |
| Franz | Wesley Taylor | Cody Scott Lancaster | Cody Scott Lancaster | Travis Walker | Lincoln Hall | Sandy Moffat | Stephen Kane |
| Regina/Candi | Lauren Molina | Josephine Rose Roberts | Josephine Rose Roberts | Casey Tuma | Francine Cain | Jodie Jacobs | Katie Postotnik |
| Justice/Sherrie's Mother | Michele Mais | Michele Mais | Angela Teek | Theresa Stanley | Rachel Dunham | Rachel McFarlane | Amma Osei |
| Hertz | Paul Schoeffler | Paul Schoeffler | Victor Young | Bret Tuomi | David Whitney | Rohan Tickell | Phillip Peterson |
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+ not on Broadway Original Cast Recording
The song "Rock of Ages" by Def Leppard is not in the musical because Universal Music Group did not allow the producers to get licenses for their songs. However, the original is often played after the curtain call.
The show was nominated for five Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical for Constantine Maroulis, Best Direction of a Musical for Kristin Hanggi, Best Costume Design for Gregory Gale and Best Sound Design for Peter Hylenski, but did not win any.[24] It also received two Drama League nominations: Distinguished Production of a Musical and Distinguished Performance for Constantine Maroulis,[25] as well as two Outer Critics Circle Award nominations for Outstanding New Broadway Musical and Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical for Wesley Taylor[26] In June 2009, The Boulevard Magazine featured Rock of Ages as their June - July 2009 Cover with inside features on Constantine Maroulis and Director Kristin Hanggi[27]
On July 1, 2009, after a matinee performance of Rock of Ages, the cast set a new Guinness World Record for the Largest Air Guitar Ensemble. A total of 810 participants, including audience members and fans, shattered the previous record of 440 people playing air guitar simultaneously.[28]
In March 2010, while starring as Drew in the Broadway production, Constantine Maroulis received the honor of being immortalized in a caricature at Sardi's, taking his place alongside other Broadway luminaries similarly honored at the legendary New York City establishment.[29][30]
In June 2010, Rock of Ages Toronto won the TAPA's Audience Choice Award for Outstanding Production in the 31st Annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards for the 2009/2010 season.[31]
On October 26, 2009, the show hosted the first ever "Golden Mullet Awards" after the 8pm performance. Billed as "Broadway's fourth biggest night", the show gave out "Golden Mullets" (a mock of the Tony Award) to the best on Broadway. Many of the categories that used for the awards were also puns of songs from Rock of Ages itself.
The winners were:
One more award was presented to Bret Michaels of the band Poison in jest of his infamous injury at the 2009 Tony Awards, where after he was finished performing with the cast of Rock of Ages, a descending set piece knocked him down and broke his nose.