Justin Matthew Sargent Joins ROCK OF AGES as 'Drew'; Genson Blimline Takes Over as 'Lonny'

Producers of the five-time Tony Award nominated hit musical ROCK OF AGES have announced that Justin Matthew Sargent will star as "Drew" beginning Monday, March 26, and Genson Blimline will officially take over as "Lonny", at Broadway's Helen Hayes Theatre (220 W 44th Street).

Original Broadway cast member Mitchell Jarvis will not be returning to the role of "Lonny" following his leave of absence. Dan Domenech, who opened the show at The Helen Hayes, will play his final performance as "Drew" on Sunday, March 25 at 7:30pm. Neka Zang will replace Emily Williams in the ensemble on Tuesday, April 3.

Justin Matthew Sargent, who has performed in ROCK OF AGES as a Vacation Swing, will take on his first-ever leading role on Broadway as the "city boy born 'n' raised in South Detroit", Drew. He recently performed on Broadway in Bonnie & Clyde and his regional credits include Pippin, Jesus Christ Superstar and High School Musical.

Before joining the cast of ROCK OF AGES on December 19, 2011 to play Lonny during Mitchell Jarvis' LOA, Genson Blimline was 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).

Neka Zang will make her Broadway debut in ROCK OF AGES. Her favorite credits include Wicked (Witch's mother, Nessarose u/s – Nat. Tour), Mary Poppins (1st Nat. tour), Singin' in the Rain (NSMT). She has performed with Leona Lewis, Nelly Furtado, Timbaland, George Lopez, dre. dance and Andy Milonakis.

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. 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.

ROCK OF AGES also stars Emily Padgett as "Sherrie," 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, Tony LePage, Michael Minarik, Jennifer Rias, Andre Ward and Katie Webber.

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 and Australia; just completed its First National Tour of 60 cities, starring original Broadway cast member and Tony Award nominee Constantine Maroulis; has a production running in London's West End; and has licensed productions in several additional countries, including Korea and Japan.

ROCK OF AGES is produced worldwide by Matthew Weaver, Jonathan Linden and Michael Cohl.

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.