Following an extremely successful off Broadway run and the sale of the film rights to New Line Cinema, ROCK OF AGES opened on Broadway, tonight, Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre (256 W. 47th Street). Previews began on Tuesday, March 17, 2009. BroadwayWorld.com's cameras were there to capture the ready for rock arrivals!
In 1987 on the Sunset Strip, a small town girl met a big city rocker and in LA's most famous rock club, they fell in love to the greatest songs of the '80s.
It's ROCK OF AGES, an arena-rock love story told through the mind-blowing, face-melting hits of Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, Reo Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Foreigner, Twisted Sister, Poison, Asia, Whitesnake and many more. Don't miss this awesomely good time about dreaming big, playing loud and partying on.
The "totally awesome" cast for Broadway's new, smash hit musical stars Constantine Maroulis, ("American Idol" Season 4, Broadway's The Wedding Singer, RENT) reprising his critically acclaimed role as "Drew", is now joined by Broadway's best 1970's & 1980's period actors Amy Spanger (The Wedding Singer, Kiss Me Kate) as "Sherrie" and James Carpinello (Saturday Night Fever, VH1's "So NoTORIous") as "Stacee Jaxx".
Also featured in the cast are Adam Dannheisser (The Coast of Utopia, Twelfth Night), Mitchell Jarvis (Fiddler on the Roof), Michele Mais (Roza), Lauren Molina (Sweeney Todd), Paul Schoeffler (Sweet Charity, Nine), Wesley Taylor (See Rock City), Ericka Hunter (Flower Drum Song, 42nd Street), Jeremy Jordan (Little Dog Laughed tour), Michael Minarik (Les Miserables), Angel Reed (Saturday Night Fever tour), Bahiyah Sayyed-Gaines (Pal Joey, The Color Purple), Katherine Tokarz (White Christmas, A Chorus Line ), Andre Ward (Xanadu, The Producers), Savannah Wise (Les Miserables), Tad Wilson (The Full Monty) and Jeremy Woodard (Glory Days).
Rockin' in the on-stage band, ARSENAL, are Music Director/ keyboardist Henry Aronson (Theatre: Rocky Horror, RENT ), lead guitarist Joel Hoekstra (Night Ranger), drummer Jon Weber (The Orion Experience, Theatre: Hedwig), bassist Winston Roye (Ace of Base, Theatre: Bright Lights, Big City) and guitar player David Gibbs (Counting Crows, Film: That Thing You Do), who also wrote the original arrangements. The Music Supervision, Arrangements & Orchestrations are by Ethan Popp (Tarzan; Europe: We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia)
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).
Press notes state that the crowds and critics agree - "ROCK OF AGES is "a nonstop party laden with sexy choreography, energetic performances and an on stage band that totally rocks the house" proclaims The Associated Press. The New York Post says, "ROCK OF AGES does for '80s rock what "Mamma Mia!" did for ABBA".
All tickets (including VIP Green Room and Premium Seats) can be purchased via Ticketmaster.com/ 212-307-4100 or in person at The Brooks Atkinson Box Office, 256 W. 47th Street.
The performance schedule is Monday at 8pm, Tuesday at 7pm, Thursday at 8pm, Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm & 8pm and Sunday at 2pm & 7pm.
Photos by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.
