ROCK OF AGES Will 'Jam' at Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theatre Beginning 4/27/2010

Broadway's rockin' goodtime musical ROCK OF AGES will have its Canadian premiere at the legendary Royal Alexandra Theatre, with performances beginning April 27, 2010.

Nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, ROCK OF AGES took Broadway by storm when it opened at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre in April 2009. "Absurdly enjoyable" raved New York Times critic Charles Isherwood. "About as guilty as pleasure gets! The siren call of those creaming guitars and singalong choruses are impossible to resist." Spin Magazine declared the show "Pure Broadway Gold!" Entertainment Weekly gushed that ROCK OF AGES was "more fun than it has any right to be."

"ROCK OF AGES is a nonstop party laden with sexy choreography, energetic performances and an on stage band that totally rocks the house" proclaimed The Associated Press. And The New York Post said, "ROCK OF AGES does for '80s rock what Mamma Mia! did for ABBA."

Canadian producer David Mirvish says: "We always strive to bring Toronto audiences the newest, the best, the most entertaining and the most fun. ROCK OF AGES delivers each one of these in spades. There isn't a more audacious and pleasurable show. If you want proof that the theatre today is lively and full of energy and life, go to the Brooks Atkinson Theatre in New York and see an audience electrified.

"It's the same energy and zest we will have at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto come April 2010 when ROCK OF AGES makes its Canadian debut. And this show continues a long tradition at the Royal Alex of Canadian premieres of such groundbreaking shows as Hair, Godspell and Rent."

ROCK OF AGES lead producers Matt Weaver and Carl Levin say: "We are thrilled to bring ROCK OF AGES to audiences in Canada. Toronto is such a terrific haven for the arts and for all kinds of music. We are grateful to have the opportunity to rock out with our neighbors to the North and can't wait to show both theatre patrons and concert-goers an amazing time in a fun setting.

"We hope the musical is a hilarious, feel-good night out for all ages, from grandparents to grandkids, who share a love for the greatest songs from the 1980s."

In 1987 on the Sunset Strip, a small town girl meets a big city rocker and in LA's most famous rock club, they fall 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, Foreigner, Styx, Reo Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Asia, Whitesnake and many more.

The songs include "Sister Christian," "We Built This City," "I Wanna Rock," "We're Not Gonna Take It," "Waiting For A Girl Like You," "Wanted Dead or Alive," "I Want To Know What Love Is," "Hit Me With Your Best Shot," "Renegade," and, of course, "Don't Stop Believin'"

It's an awesomely good time, a musical joyride about dreaming big, playing loud and partying on.

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).

Scenic design is by Beowulf Boritt (Spelling Bee, LoveMusik), costume design is by Tony Nominee Gregory Gale (Cyrano, The Wedding Singer), lighting design is by Jason Lyons (The Threepenny Opera), sound design is by Peter Hylenski (Shrek), and projection design is by Zachary Borovay (A Catered Affair). The Music Supervision, Arrangements & Orchestrations are by Ethan Popp (Tarzan) with original arrangements by David Gibbs (Film: That Thing You Do).

The Canadian production of ROCK OF AGES will be produced by Matthew Weaver, Carl Levin, Jeff Davis, Barry Habib, Scott Prisand, Janet Billig Rich, Hillary Weaver and David Mirvish

ROCK OF AGES had its world premiere in January 2006 at the Vanguard in Los Angeles for a limited four-week run that was extended to seven weeks by popular demand. The off-Broadway engagement began October 2008 at New World Stages and played for three months before work began on the Broadway debut. New Line Cinema recently bought the film rights to the musical. The Toronto engagement will be the show's first international production.

The Canadian production of ROCK OF AGES will feature talent from both Canada and the United States. Continent-wide auditions will begin immediately.

Tickets for ROCK OF AGES are now available on a priority basis to Mirvish Subscribers and to Groups.

Single Tickets will go on public sale November 28, 2009. Prices will be $28 to $99.

ROCK OF AGES will begin performances April 27, 2010 at the Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King Street West.

The weekly performance schedule will be: Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8 PM;

matinees Saturdays and Sundays at 2 PM; and Sunday evenings at 7 PM.

Call Ticketking at 416-872-1212 or 1-800-461-3333. Online sales at www.mirvish.com

ROCK OF AGES in Toronto is sponsored by Air Canada.

The production's official hotels are the Sheraton Centre Toronto and the Westin Harbour Castle.

For more information please visit, www.RockofAgesMusical.com.