Spanger & Carpinello Join Maroulis for ROCK OF AGES, Full Casting Announced, Previews Start at Atkinson 3/17

The producers of ROCK OF AGES announced the complete, awesome cast for Broadway's new, smash hit musical today. 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".

Following an extremely successful off Broadway run and the sale of the film rights to New Line Cinema, ROCK OF AGES will open on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre (256 W. 47th Street) with previews beginning on Tuesday, March 17, 2009. The production will have a lower top ticket price than ANY other Broadway musical with a ticket range of $26.50 - $99.00.

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. 

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 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).

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.

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; Europe: We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia)

The successful off Broadway engagement of ROCK OF AGES opened on Thursday, October 16, 2008 at New World Stages and played its final performance on Sunday, January 4, 2009 after 17 preview and 93 regular performances. The show made its world premiere in Los Angeles at The Vanguard for a limited 4-week run and was extended to 7 weeks by popular demand.

ROCK OF AGES will be produced on Broadway by Matthew Weaver, Carl Levin, Jeff Davis, Barry Habib, Scott Prisand, and Corner Store Fund I, in association with Janet Billig Rich, Hillary Weaver, Toni Habib, Stefany & Simon Bergson, Charles Rolecek, Susanne Brook, Israel Wolfson, Max Gottlieb, Jennifer Maloney, John Butler/Sara Katz and Prospect Pictures.

A large block of orchestra and front mezzanine tickets to all preview performances (March 17, 2009 - April 6, 2009) of ROCK OF AGES can be purchased for the special discount rate of $49.50 with the code "PROCK". After opening on April 7, 2009, tickets will range from $26.50 - $99.00. Tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster.com/ 212-307-4100. The Brooks Atkinson Box Office opens to the public on Monday, February 23, 2009.

The performance schedule for March 17 - March 29 is Monday at 8pm, Tuesday at 7pm, Wednesday at 8pm, Thursday at 8pm, Friday at 8pm and Saturday at 2pm & 8pm. Beginning on Monday, March 30, 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.

Constantine Maroulis (Drew) was a finalist on the fourth season of "American Idol". Because of his rendition of the Queen classic "Bohemian Rhapsody", he was asked to sing the song on the "Killer Queen" Tribute CD (Hollywood Records). In addition to headlining the Idol's sold out Live Summer Tour with that year's winner Carrie Underwood, Constantine has continued to tour extensively around the country solo since the show. However Idol wasn't his first stage experience, having graduated The Boston Conservatory and apprenticed at the The Williamstown Theatre Festival in 2002, Maroulis had performed in several productions prior to landing the lead role of Roger in the national tour of the hit musical RENT just before making it as a finalist on "Idol" and beating out millions of hopefuls auditioning. Maroulis made his Broadway debut in the Tony Nominated 2007 production of The Wedding Singer and after quickly followed up co-starring in Off Broadway's critically acclaimed production of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. His TV credits also include CBS's "The Bold and The Beautiful", in a role specially created for him and based in part on his real life. The show featured new songs from his debut album Constantine, which was released last year on his very own Record Label, Sixth Place Records (via SONY/Red) to critical acclaim. Prior to that, his version of "My Funny Valentine" helped make the CD, American Idol The Showstoppers RIAA Certified Gold (RCA). Other credits include, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, "The Tonight Show", "Ellen", "The Today Show", "Howard Stern", "Regis & Kelly", MTV and many more. He has also served as Co-Host on "GDNY", Yahoo Buzz Session, MTV's "Little Talent Show" and "American Idol Extra" on The FOX Reality Channel. In addition, Constantine has done extensive work with many charities and non profits including Make a Wish, Hellenic Scholarship Fund, The Actors Fund, Broadway Cares and many others, including his newest endeavor with Socialvibe. Learn more at www.socialvibe.com/constantine. www.constantinemaroulis.com

Amy Spanger (Sherrie). B'way: Holly in The Wedding Singer (Drama Desk Nominee), Hope Cladwell in Urinetown, Bianca/Lois in Kiss Me, Kate (original cast); Roxie Hart in Chicago; performed as u/s Betty Schaeffer in Sunset Boulevard. Off-B'way: Susan in tick, tick...BOOM! (original cast). Nat'l tours: Maureen in Rent, Roxie Hart in Chicago. TV/ FILM: Synecdoche, NY; "Six Feet Under"; "Ed"; "Becker" and "Broadway Workshop," the final episode of "EGG the Arts Show" (PBS).

 

James Carpinello (Stacee Jaxx ) Broadway: Saturday Night Fever (Outer Critics Circle nom.). Off-Broadway: Stupid Kids (dir. Michael Mayer). Regional: Rocky Horror (Tiffany Theater), Romeo and Juliet (ALLIANCE THEATRE), The Tempest (Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival), Brigadoon, 42nd Street, The Desert Song, Annie. Film: The Great Raid (dir. John Dahl), The Punisher. TV: "So Notorious," "The Closer," "Felicity

Adam Dannheisser (Dennis) Broadway: Cymbeline, The Coast of Utopia, Proof, Twelfth Night, The Tempest. National Tour of Contact (Ovation Award nomination). Off- Broadway: Henry V, Henry VIII, The Tempest, Macbeth (all with NYSF, Public Theater ); The Arabian Nights ( BAM), The Blues Are Running ( MTC ). Regional: Awake and Sing! (Arena Stage ), Safe in Hell ( Yale Rep. ), The Provok'd Wife ( ART ), Beast on the Moon (Portland Stage). Film: Down to Earth, A Price Above Rubies. TV: "Law and Order", "Brotherhood", "Third Watch", "Law and Order: CI", "Sex and the City", "Mad About You". MFA: NYU.

Mitchell Jarvis (Lonny) Broadway: Fiddler... New York: The Rockea ("Pentheus"), The Watercoolers. Regional: The Full Monty ("Jerry"), Spitfire Grill ("Joe"), Sweeney Todd ("Toby"), Bus Stop ("Bo"), West Side Story ("Tony"/"Riff"). TV: "Law & Order: SVU", "Guiding Light", "All My Children". Founding member of the NY sketch comedy group, Honorable Mention.

Michele Mais (Justice) created the role of "Justice" in the Los Angeles and Las Vegas productions of Rock of Ages and is thrilled to be performing it here in NY. She appeared on Broadway in Zoot Suit and Hal Prince's Roza. She toured nationally and internationally with Godspell, One Mo' Time, and Menopause the Musical. She has performed at the Mark Taper Forum, Pasadena Playhouse, Laguna Playhouse Goodspeed Opera House, San Diego Repertory, The Public Theatre, Long Beach Opera, Center Theatre, The Actor's Gang, and Harvey's Casino in Lake Tahoe. She is an Associate Artist with Cornerstone Theatre Company. "Maisey" is the recipient of the prestigious Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award, a Garland, an Ovation Nomination and the GLAAD Award for her work in The Life-affirming production of The Last Session.

Lauren Molina (Regina) originated the role of "Johanna" in John Doyle's critically acclaimed Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd. She also continued to perform as the cello playing "Johanna" on the Sweeney Todd international tour. She was a featured singer at The Ladies Who Sing Sondheim concert with Barbara Cook and Patti LuPone at the Westport Playhouse. Other roles include "Gwendolen" in Ernest in Love, " Leopard" in Just So Stories, and a back-up singer for Sarah Brightman on her La Luna tour. Favorite readings include, Wireheads, a new play directed by John Cameron Mitchell and Reality!, a new musical written by Itamar Moses and Gaby Alter . Lauren is also a singer/songwriter, releasing her first album in 2007, entitled Doo-Be-Doo and is in the process of writing a children's album.

Paul Schoeffler (Hertz) Broadway includes "Vittorio Vidal" in Sweet Charity opposite Christina Applegate, "Lumiere" in Beauty and the Beast, "Hook" in Peter Pan (also filmed for the A&E Network), "Le Bret" in Cyrano, Nine, Victor/Victoria and Sunday in the Park with George. Other NY credits include Can Can at Encores! with Patti LuPone, numerous concerts at Town Hall and numerous Off Broadway productions including Wintertime at Second Stage opposite Marsha Mason, the premiere of No Way to Treat a Lady at the York, Carnival, The Cherry Orchard and The Fantasticks. National tours include "Javert" in Les Miserables, a role for which he was recently nominated for a Barrymore award in Philadelphia, "Sheldrake" in Promises/Promises and "Hook" in Peter Pan. He has appeared in leading roles at regional theatres around the US including the role of the "Count" in the world premiere of the Yeston/Kopit Phantom at Theatre Under the Stars, The Walnut Street Theatre, Goodspeed, Papermill, The Huntington, TOTS and Sacramento's Music Circus among others. In addition to episodic television work as an actor, Paul has also had an extensive voice-over career having worked for NBC, CNN, ESPN, CBS, The Oxygen Network, Court TV and four seasons of "Courage the Cowardly Dog" for The Cartoon Network, in addition to numerous commercials for both radio and television. Currently he is producing the film Playing for Keeps for Silverwood films with Dennis O'Hare and Michael Nostrund.

Wesley Taylor (Franz). Broadway debut. Since graduating from the North Carolina School of the Arts in May, Wesley has originated the role of "Evan"/"Rick" in the new award winning musical, See Rock City, which premiered at Barrington Stage Co. and from that was invited to sing in William Finn's cabaret of new composers. He also appeared in Myth alongside Tony Award- winner, John Lloyd Young, at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Festival. Favorite roles include "Speed" in Two Gentlemen of Verona, "Colpoys" in Trelawney of the Wells, and "Falstaff" in Henry IV.

 

Ericka Hunter (Ensemble) Broadway: Flower Drum Song, 42nd Street. Tours: The Lion King. Other NY: A Rockette in The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Princesses. TV: "The Music Man" (ABC), "The Today Show" (NBC) and the MTV Upfronts.

Jeremy Jordan (Ensemble) Broadway debut. Theatre: Big River, The Little Dog Laughed (Connecticut Critics' Circle Nomination), The Flamingo Kid (NY Reading), Calvin Berger (NY Reading), The Burnt Part Boys (NY Reading), Austin's Bridge (World Premiere), The Count of Monte Cristo (World Premiere), Urinetown, Grease!. TV: "Law & Order: SVU". Graduate of Ithaca College.

Michael Minarik (Ensemble) Broadway: Les Miserables. 1st national tours: Little Women (John Brooke), Urinetown. Regional: Urinetown (Bobby Strong; ACT San Francisco), The Rink (Dino; Cape Playhouse), Jekyll & Hyde (Jekyll/Hyde; West Va. Public), Camelot (Squire Dap; Paper Mill Playhouse). www.michaelminarik.com.

Angel Reed (Ensemble) Broadway debut. Angel is very excited to be joining Rock of Ages after doing the show in Las Vegas at the Flamingo Hilton. Credits include; "Maria Huerta" in the Broadway National tour of Saturday Night Fever, the European USO Tour, Wonderland at Harrah's Casino. Regional credits include; "Estella" in West Side Story at 5th Avenue Theater, "Roberta" in the LA Premiere of Debbie Does Dallas and Lake Tahoe, Go To Hell Kitty in Chicago at the Hudson Theater. Angel is currently the host of "Treasures" a new travel show, instructor of GetSexyFit.com, and instructor with TeachSalsa.com.

Bahiyah Sayyed Gaines (Ensemble) Broadway: The Color Purple, The Little Mermaid and Pal Joey. She credits her success to acclaimed companies such as Alvin Ailey, Frankfurt Ballet and Creative Outlet Dance Theater of Brooklyn, which allowed her a smooth transition into the Broadway scene.

Katherine Tokarz (Ensemble) Broadway: Irving Berlin's White Christmas, A Chorus Line (Kristine), Wicked. Also: Leap of Faith B'way workshop, Moulin Rouge in Paris.

Andre Ward ((Ensemble) B'way: Xanadu, Saturday Night Fever, Producers, Apple Tree (Encores!). Tours: Pippin, Dreamgirls, Cinderella, Ragtime (Chicago). Reg'l: Kept (Palo Alto), Lucky Duck (Old Globe), Jelly's Last Jam (Alliance), Elegies (Barrington). TV/film: "Lipstick Jungle," "Without a Trace," Wherever You Are and Oliver Stone's World Trade Center.

Savannah Wise (Ensemble). Broadway/national tour: Les Misérables, Disney's High School Musical. Regional: Happy Days ("Joanie Cunningham"), Beauty and the Beast ("Belle"), Annie Get Your Gun ("Winnie Tate"). TV: "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (guest star). University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music graduate.

Tad Wilson (Ensemble) was last seen in Washington, DC where he performed in the Ford's Theatre Concert for former President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush. The concert featured music from Frank Wildhorn's Civil War. He shared the stage with Trisha Yearwood, Clay Aiken, Maya Angelou, Larry Gatlin, and a tremendous group of Broadway veterans. Other credits include "Jean Valjean" in Les Miserables, "Dave" in the Full Monty, and the "Southern Captain" in Frank Wildhorn's Civil War Musical. Tad holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Belmont University in Nashville, TN. He began his professional career as a performer at Opryland, USA. While in Nashville he had the opportunity to perform with country music legends like Hank Williams Jr. and Johnny Cash.

Jeremy Woodard (Ensemble) Broadway: Glory Days. National Tours: Hairspray, Miss Saigon. Multiple regional productions and TV credits.

Henry Aronson (Music Director/ Keyboard) is a conductor, musical director, musician, and arranger. His Broadway credits include: The Times They Are A-Changin', In My Life, Good Vibrations, Little Shop of Horrors, The Rocky Horror Show, Saturday Night Fever, Parade, RENT, The Who's Tommy, Prince of Central Park, Starmites, Mail.

Joel Hoekstra (Guitar) plays guitar for Night Ranger and also has performed with Eric Martin (Mr Big), Alan Parsons, Mickey Thomas (Starship), Tommy Shaw (Styx), Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon), Jimi Jamison (Survivor).. Basically, everyone whose songs are in the damn show. www.joelhoekstra.com

Winston Roye (Bass) is a bassist, singer and instrumentalist living in New York City. He writes, produces, and records for film, television and music. As a bass player he has performed with Jewel, Lauren Hill, Bernie Worrell, and John Doe of X. As a drummer with Ace Of Base, and Kidz Bop Live. His playing can be heard on the soundtracks for Christmas With The Kranks, Monster, and Armageddon, as well as commercial spots for Pepsi, Budweiser, and Buick. As a music director he has recently worked with Hollywood Records artist Tina Sugandh, and "American Idol's" Constantine Maroulis. In the theater world, he has worked with Adam Pascal from Rent, recorded the cast album for Bright Lights, Big City, and is a proud member of the Our Time Theatre Company. www.winstonroye.com.

Jon Weber (Drums). Off-Broadway credits include, Hedwig and the Angry Inch (original Off-B'way run), and Love Janis (NYC). He also spends his time recording and touring with various artists including The Orion Experience, The Drew Blood, Jonny Lives!, to name a few.

Chris D'Arienzo (Author) is a writer/director who just finished his directorial debut Barry Munday (starring Patrick Wilson, Judy Greer, Chloe Sevigny, Jean Smart, Malcolm McDowell, Cybill Shepherd and Billy Dee Williams). Chris is currently developing a one-hour drama for HBO with Tobey Maguire, as well as a feature film for Warner Bros. entitled La Vida Robot produced by John Wells (I'm Not There, "ER," Far From Heaven). Chris is a giant music nerd as well as a songwriter in his own right, and his band Saint America is set to release their self-titled debut album this fall.

Kristin Hanggi (Director). Directed the NY and L.A. productions of Bare (Ovation,L.A. Weekly awards); Pussycat Dolls Live at the Roxy with Gwen Stefani, Christina Aguilera and Charlize Theron; 2007 NY Fringe Best Play Catch the Fish; L.A. premiere of Corpus Christi (Ticketholder Award); and L.A. and NY productions of Ann E. Wrecksick. Other L.A. theatre includes 12th Premise; 40 Days; Crane, Mississippi; Greystone; Wayside. Also a film director and screenwriter, Hanggi is developing the musical movie Dear Dumb Diary for Zucker Productions. M.A. from USC and B.A. from UCLA

Kelly Devine (Choreographer). Kelly recently choreographed Cabaret and Romeo and Juliet for Des McAnuff at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Canada. Broadway: Jersey Boys (assoc. choreo). Off-Broadway: Frankenstein (37 Arts), Ann E. Wrecksick (Ars Nova). Regional theatre: Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Kirk Douglas Theatre); La Jolla Playhouse Zhivago, Private Fittings and The Wiz (assoc. choreo); Sneaux (Matrix Theatre, L.A.Weekly Theatre Award for best choreography);Wozzeck (San Diego Opera). Film/television: Zombie Prom; 30 Days Until I'm Famous; Happy, Texas; So Little Time; Two of a Kind; and Passport to Paris. Upcoming: Disney's Peter and the Starcatchers at the La Jolla Playhouse.

Beowulf Boritt (Set Designer). Broadway: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, LoveMusik, Jay Johnson: The Two and Only. Off-Broadway: More than 50 including The Last Five Years, Saint Lucy's Eyes, Hank Williams: Lost Highway, Miss Julie, Public, MTC, Second Stage, New Group, MCC. 2007 and 2008 Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus. Awards: Obie, AUDELCO, three Drama Desk noms.

Gregory Gale (Costume Designer). Broadway: Cyrano de Bergerac (Tony nomination); The Wedding Singer (Drama Desk nomination); Urinetown (Lucille Lortel nomination). Off-Broadway: The Voysey Inheritance (Lucille Lortel Award, Atlantic); The Milliner (Lucille Lortel nomination, CSC); Country Club (Drama Desk nomination, Drama Dept.). Regional: The Third Story (La Jolla). Irene Sharaff Young Master Award 2002. www.gregorygale.com

Jason Lyons: (Lighting Designer). The Threepenny Opera; Barefoot in the Park; Good Vibrations; Clay; It's Only Life; Rafta, Rafta..., Two Thousand Years; Body Awareness; Scarcity; The Piano Teacher; Vigils; Evil Dead the Musical; The Field; Once Around the Sun; Kiki & Herb; The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie; Abigail'sParty; Hurlyburly; Roar; Aunt Dan and Lemon; Comedians.

Peter Hylenski (Sound Designer). Broadway: Shrek, Cry-Baby, The Times They Are A-Changin', The Wedding Singer, Sweet Charity, Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me, Little Women, Brooklyn, Laughing Room Only. Other credits include Le Reve at Wynn Las Vegas; Ragtime (London's West End; Olivier Award nomination, Best Sound Design); Walking With Dinosaurs; Mame (Kennedy Center); Opening Doors (Carnegie Hall); Applause (Encores!); Annie; Children's Letters to God; Go, Diego, Go!; Dora the Explorer; Ovations!; Spoleto Festival (1999-2002). Film: re-recording mixer for Search for Life (American Museum of Natural History), SonicVision (AMNH, MTV2), Cosmic Collisions.

 

Zachary Borovay (Projection Designer). Recent: To Be or Not To Be (Broadway), Les Misérables (national tour), A Catered Affair (Broadway; Drama Desk nom.), Radio City Music Hall's 75th Christmas Spectacular, Xanadu (Broadway). Upcoming: Peepshow at the Planet Hollywood Casino in Las Vegas and Nerds.

 

Ethan Popp (Music Supervisor, Arranger, Orchestrator). Recent credits include Glory Days (Broadway), Tarzan (Broadway), Being Alive (Philadelphia), the New York workshop of Spider-Man (Julie Taymor/Bono and The Edge of U2), We Will Rock You (German premiere), Disney's Aida (German premiere /European tour), Mamma Mia! (German premiere), Forever Plaid (U.S. tour), Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Mexico City production), Fame! (U.S. tour) and others. Ethan is also currently developing Victor Woo: An Average Asian American, winner of Best Music and Lyrics at the 2007 NY International Fringe Festival.

 

David Gibbs (Original Arrangements, Guitarist) served as the music director and arranger for the original Los Angeles run of Rock of Ages. He has written music for film and TV including Josie and the Pussycats, That Thing You Do, Dumb and Dumber, "Alias," "The OC," "Smallville," "What About Brian" and many more. He was a founding member of the critically acclaimed Gigolo Aunts and has toured with such artists as Lisa Loeb, Counting Crows and Tom Morello. He is currently performing with the Low Stars and released a solo record as Kid Lightning.