Penobscot Theatre Company to Host ROCK OF AGES Live Band Karaoke Fundraiser, 6/11

Rock of Ages, the hit show that rocked Broadway, will soon rock the Bangor Opera House, and Penobscot Theatre Company is eager to get the community in on the act. The nonprofit has planned a Live Band Karaoke Fundraiser for opening night, June 11, and two winners will walk away with walk-on roles at selected performances later in the run. Fifteen classic rock songs from the 1980s will comprise the song list, including fan favorites from Heart, Scandal, Van Halen, and more. "These are the songs that have echoed from your shower walls for decades," said Producing Artistic Director Bari Newport. "Now is the time to unleash your inner rock star and take your place in the spotlight!"

The karaoke fundraiser will start at 8:00 pm, June 11, with doors opening at 7:30 pm. Radio host Don Cookson of WZON will serve as emcee, and "Arsensal," the hard-rocking band at the center of Rock of Ages, will accompany the karaoke contestants. Admission for the event (open to ages 21+) will be $15 person. A complete song list is available on the theatre's website. Attendees may bid to perform by selecting the song(s) they wish to sing and submitting $1 per bid. "The more you bid (or the more your friends bid on your behalf) the better your odds of getting on stage, which is how the event serves as a fundraiser, but it also gins up the excitement around who wins the opportunity to perform," explained Executive Director Mary Budd.

Two winners will be identified at the end of the evening, one determined by audience applause and the second by a count of votes, with each vote costing $1. "In the music business, it's not always about raw talent," joked Budd. "There is room with this structure for a hustler to emerge victorious."

Celebrating the glam bands of the 1980s, Rock of Ages is the story of Drew Boley (to be played by Ira Kramer), an aspiring rocker who dreams of a life as awesome as a Whitesnake video-or at least as successful as Stacee Jaxx's. Playing Jaxx, front man of the fictional band Arsenal, will be Andrew Crowe, who starred in the company's productions of Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash and Duck Hunter Shoots Angelearlier this season. Crowe will also serve as music director of Rock of Ages, which features more than 20 hits from Journey, Styx, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Bon Jovi and other icons. Director and choreographer Michele Colvin looks forward to reuniting with Crowe, with whom she collaborated on Ring of Fire.

Rounding out the large cast will be musical theatre standouts Brianne Beck, Catherine Forthofer, Neil E. Graham, Daniel Kennedy, Ben Layman, Heather Libby, Grace Livingston, Bob Potts, Kristina Rex, Christie Robinson, Birdie Sawyer, Alekzander Sayers, Charisse Shields, and Dominick Varney. As "Arsenal," will be Jeremy Shirland and Joshua Kovach playing guitar, Gaylen Smith on bass, Allison Bankston playing the synthesizer, and Tom Libby on drums.

Two preview performances of Rock of Ages, with specially discounted tickets, are scheduled June 9-10. The opening night performance, June 11, will start at 5:00 pm, preceding the Live Band Karaoke Fundraiser and requiring separate admission. Rock of Ages will run through July 2. For more information and a complete list of show times and to purchase karaoke and show tickets visit www.penobscottheatre.org or by call the box office at (207) 942-3333. Penobscot Theatre Company subscribers (2015/16 or upcoming season) will receive a $5 discount off the regular ticket price of $35; no other discounts will apply. Students may purchase $15 rush tickets ten minutes before any given performance time, subject to available seating.

Rock of Ages is produced in partnership with Deighan Wealth Advisors, Machias Savings Bank, and Changing Seasons Federal Credit Union. The theatre gratefully acknowledges the generous support provided throughout the season by the following sponsors: Bangor Daily News, Blueberry Broadcasting, Canyon Networks, The Charles Inn, The Maine Edge, Darling's, Downtown with Rich Kimball, WLBZ Channel 2, The Wave and ZONE Radio.

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