Five-time Tony Award Nominated smash hit musical, ROCK OF AGES, along with US Air Guitar (the official air guitar association of the United States who is responsible for operating the US Air Guitar Championships) broke the Guinness World Record for Largest Air Guitar Ensemble immediately following the matinee performance yesterday, Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at The Brooks Atkinson Theatre, 256 W. 47th Street. BroadwwayWorld.com's headbangin' cameras were there to bring it all to you in our usual 'face melting' fashion!
The new record of 810 people included the matinee audience, fans, ROCK OF AGES cast & crew members and the 2007 US Air Guitar Champion William Ocean. The previous record, set in the UK, was 440 people.
In addition to Tony Nominee Constantine Maroulis, ROCK OF AGES features James Carpinello, Adam Dannheisser, Mitchell Jarvis, Michele Mais, Lauren Molina, Paul Schoeffler, Wesley Taylor, Ericka Hunter, Jeremy Jordan, Michael Minarik, Angel Reed, Bahiyah Sayyed-Gaines, Katherine Tokarz, Andre Ward, Savannah Wise, Tad Wilson, and Jeremy Woodard. And rockin' in the on-stage band, ARSENAL, are Music Director/ keyboardist Henry Aronson, lead guitarist Joel Hoekstra, drummer Jon Weber, bassist Winston Roye and guitar player David Gibbs, who also wrote the original arrangements. The Music Supervision, Arrangements & Orchestrations are by Ethan Popp. The show is written by Chris D'Arienzo, directed by Tony Award Nominee Kristin Hanggi and choreographed by Kelly Devine.
US AIR GUITAR is the official air guitar association of the United States and is responsible for operating the US Air Guitar Championships, official Regional events and specialized championships such as the Online Competition. They are devoted to taking our nation's unofficial pastime out of the bedroom and putting it up on the world stage. Founded in 2003, the US Air Guitar Championships have grown into a major national event that reaches more cities, fans and competitors every year. In a time when US political, economic, military and athletic dominance faces unprecedented challenges around the world, it is our belief that air guitar represents one endeavor our country can dominate without controversy. US Air Guitar is here to make this possible. US Air Guitar has an alliance with the Air Guitar World Championships and sends our US champions to Oulu, Finland to compete for the world title.
It's one thing to stand in front of the mirror and imitate a rock star. Andrew "william ocean" Litz found a way to make a career out of it. Since bursting onto the competitive air guitar circuit, he has won four regional titles (Chicago in 2005 and NYC in 2006, 2007 and 2009) and one National title in 2007 that earned him a trip to Finland to represent the United States and compete in the world.
Following an extremely successful off-Broadway run and a bidding war over the film rights (which New Line Cinema won), "ROCK OF AGES" opened on Tuesday, April 7th, 2009 at Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre to rave reviews and audience adoration. The show is written by Chris D'Arienzo(writer and director of the upcoming film "Barry Munday"), directed by Kristin Hanggi ("Bare," "Pussycat Dolls on the Sunset Strip") and choreographed by Kelly Devine ("Jersey Boys" - Associate Choreographer). Music supervision, arrangements and orchestrations are by Ethan Popp ("Tarzan," "Europe: We Will Rock You," "Mamma Mia"), with original arrangements by David Gibbs (Counting Crows).
All tickets (including VIP Green Room and Premium Seats) can be purchased viaTicketmaster.com/ 212-307-4100 or in person at The Brooks Atkinson Box Office, 256 W. 47th Street.
Photos by Peter James Zielinski
Rock of Ages at the Brooks Atkinson Theater
A packed house at the Brooks Atkinson
Andrew 'William Ocean' Litz, the 2007 National Air Guitar Champion, schools the audience on the science of how to air rock
William Ocean
William Ocean
William Ocean
William Ocean
William Ocean
The cast valiantly backs up the furious air guitar going on in front of them
Two adjudicators from Guinness Book keep an eye on the crowd
Tad Wilson and Jeremy Woodard
Tad Wilson and Jeremy Woodard
The boys play on as the adjudicator watches the audience
Lauren Molina and Savannah Wise lead the cast
William Ocean
Michele Mais and Constantine Maroulis
William Ocean
William Ocean
William Ocean
Savannah Wise and Lauren Molina
Savannah Wise
Constantine Maroulis and Savannah Wise
William Ocean
Constantine Maroulis and William Ocean
Constantine Maroulis and William Ocean
Constantine Maroulis and William Ocean
William Ocean
William Ocean
William Ocean
William Ocean
Savannah Wise
Savannah Wise, Lauren Molina, and Angel Reed
The Cast of Rock of Ages
Tad Wilson, Lauren Molina, Mitchell Jarvis, Jeremy Woodard, and Jeremy Jordan
Michele Mais and Angel Reed
Tad Wilson, Mitchell Jarvis, Jeremy Woodard, and Jeremy Jordan
Constantine Maroulis
Constantine Maroulis
Constantine Maroulis signing autographs while waiting for the final word
The emcee for the evening (and the show's webmaster) Jim Glaub with Savannah Wise
A lucky audience member gets a kiss from Constantine Maroulis
The finally tally is in...and the results are...
The cast of Rock of Ages has taken the Guinness Book World Record for Largest Air Guitar Ensemble
The adjudicators present the cast with the official plaque
The newly Guinness Book'd cast of Rock of Ages
Constantine Maroulis
Constantine Maroulis
Photo Credit: Peter James Zielinski
