Genson Blimline Joins Cast of ROCK OF AGES; Mitchell Jarvis to Return in February

Producers of the five-time Tony Award nominated hit musical ROCK OF AGES have announced that Genson Blimline will take over the role of "Lonny" role beginning today, Monday, December 19. Mitchell Jarvis, who has starred in ROCK OF AGES since it opened on Broadway in 2009 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, is taking a leave of absence from the show to take part in the Alley Theatre production of The Toxic Avenger in Houston, Texas. Jarvis is scheduled to return to Rock of Ages on February 20, 2012.

Genson Blimline was recently seen on Broadway in the original cast of Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific at LCT. Other recent credits include Mask the Musical directed by Richard Maltby Jr and Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas directed by Christopher Gattelli, in addition to national tours of South Pacific (Stewpot), A Chorus Line (Al DeLuca), Smokey Joe's Cafe (Michael), Grease (Teen Angel) and Footloose (Chuck Cranston).

ROCK OF AGES, which recently celebrated its 1000th Broadway performance, continues to offer Broadway's Best Party at the Helen Hayes Theatre, 240 West 44th Street. The smash hit musical opened on Broadway on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 and played its final performance at The Brooks Atkinson Theatre on Sunday, January 9, 2011 before re-opening at The Helen Hayes Theatre on March 24, 2011.

The music that ignited a generation is heating up Broadway in ROCK OF AGES. The classic rock love story of the decade erupts into Broadway's Best Party, all to the sounds of such feel-good, sing-out-loud songs as "Every Rose Has Its Thorn", "I Wanna Know What Love Is", "Here I Go Again", "Don't Stop Believin'" and more.

In addition to Blimline, ROCK OF AGES currently stars Emily Padgett as "Sherrie," Dan Domenech (original National Tour Cast member), in his Broadway debut as "Drew," Jeremy Woodard (original Broadway Cast member) as "Stacee Jaxx", Adam Dannheisser (original Broadway Cast Member) as "Dennis," Cody Scott Lancaster (original Toronto Cast Member) as "Franz," Michele Mais (original Broadway Cast Member) as "Justice," Josephine Rose Roberts (original Toronto Cast Member) as "Regina," and Paul Schoeffler (original Broadway Cast Member) as "Hertz." Rounding out the cast are Tessa Alves, Joey Calveri, Tony LePage, Michael Minarik, Jennifer Rias, Andre Ward, Katie Webber and Emily Williams.

ROCK OF AGES will soon become Hollywood's Biggest Party when New Line Cinema releases a film of the musical in the summer of 2012. Directed by Adam Shankman, the film stars Tom Cruise as "Stacee Jaxx," Diego Boneta as "Drew," Julianne Hough as "Sherrie," Russell Brand as "Lonny," Alec Baldwin as "Dennis," Mary J. Blige as "Justice," Brian Cranston as the Mayor, Malin Ackerman as "Constance Sack," Catherine Zeta-Jones as the wife of the Mayor and Paul Giamatti as "Paul Gill."

In addition to being a bona fide Broadway hit musical, ROCK OF AGES was a runaway success in Toronto; just completed its First National Tour of 60 cities, starring original Broadway cast member and Tony Award nominee Constantine Maroulis; has productions running in Australia and in London's West End; and has licensed productions in several additional countries, including Korea and Japan.

Lead producers for ROCK OF AGES are Matthew Weaver, Michael Cohl and Jonathan Linden.

Tickets for ROCK OF AGES at The Helen Hayes can be purchased via Telecharge.com, by calling (212) 239-6200 (outside the NY metro area (800) 432-7250) or in person at the Helen Hayes Box Office. The performance schedule is Monday at 8pm, Tuesday at 7pm, Thursday at 8pm, Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm & 8pm and Sunday at 3pm & 7:30pm.

*Please note the following schedule changes due to the holidays: There are no performances on Saturday, December 24. On Sunday, December 25, there is a single performance at 7pm. Performances have been added on Wednesday, December 21 at 2pm and 8pm.