Palo Alto Players Presents ROCK OF AGES

We're going back to a sexier time - the Reagan Era - when Palo Alto Players presents the smash-hit jukebox musical ROCK OF AGES, featuring the greatest rock music of the 1980s. Set against the backdrop of the Sunset Strip in the late 80s, with a soundtrack featuring hits from Styx, Poison, Bon Jovi, and many more, ROCK OF AGES chronicles the love story between wanna-be rocker Drew and aspiring actress Sherrie as they chase their dreams of stardom. ROCK OF AGES, directed by Janie Scott and featuring a cast of eighteen local Bay Area actors, runs April 27 - May 13 at the Lucie Stern Theater, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. For information or tickets, visit paplayers.org or call 650.329.0891.

It's the 80s and the party is raging hard in Hollywood. Aqua net, Lycra, lace, and liquor flow freely at one of the Sunset Strip's last legendary rock venues, where rockstar Stacee Jaxx takes the stage and the girls line up to turn their fantasies into reality. Amidst the madness, aspiring rock star (and perspiring janitor) Drew, a boy from South Detroit, longs to become the next Bon Jovi. He gets his chance, but not before falling for a small town girl, Sherrie. But all good times must come to an end...or must they? One of the longest running shows in recent Broadway history, the Tony nominated ROCK OF AGES features 28 eyebrow-scorching hits from Styx, Poison, and many other monster bands of the 80s. The New York Times called it "a seriously silly, absurdly enjoyable arena-rock musical... I never would have guessed that wine coolers could age this well!?"

"ROCK OF AGES is a gaudy, bawdy good time for anyone looking to forget their troubles and have some fun at the theatre," says Artistic Director Patrick Klein. "Director Janie Scott brings the 80s party to the stage and has some pitch perfect tricks up her sleeve to make our production unlike any produced before. Our audiences will surely be on their feet by the final bow and rockin' all the way home!"

Director Janie Scott returns to Palo Alto Players after directing and choreographing the company's fall production of PETER PAN. Previously she directed and choreographed Disney's The Little Mermaid, Chicago, and The Addams Family at Palo Alto Players, in addition to over 40 productions from New York to Los Angeles, with a resume that spans decades of summer stock, dinner theatre, regional theatre, industrials, and film. Throughout her impressive career, she has worked directly with many musical theatre greats including Harold Prince, Stephen Sondheim, Trevor Nunn, and Michael Bennett. As a performer, she was seen in the original National and International touring companies of A Chorus Line, the Broadway productions of Peter Pan, and Merrily We Roll Along, and the original LA Company of Cats. For her choreography of Palo Alto Players' 2015 production of Chicago, Scott received a 2016 Theatre Bay Area Award.

Scott directs a cast of 18 local Bay Area actors. The ROCK OF AGES cast features:

• Drew: Jason Mooney
• Sherrie: Jessica LaFever
• Lonny: Sven Schutz
• Justice/Mother: Izetta Klein
• Dennis: Joey McDaniel
• Stacee Jaxx/Father: Jimmy Mason
• Regina/Candi: Jessica Whittemore
• Herta: Barbara Heninger
• Franz: Stephen Kanaski
• Mayor/Ensemble: Shawn Bender
• Ja'Keith Gill/Ensemble: Nick Rodrigues
• Joey Primo/Ensemble: Robbie Reign
• Waitress/Ensemble: Shannon Kelly
• Constance/Ensemble: Breanna van Gastel
• Ensemble: Lauren Arnold
• Ensemble: Alex Cox
• Ensemble: Amanda Nguyen
• Ensemble: Victor Ragsdale

The creative team also includes music direction by Lauren Bevilacqua, choreography by Zendrex Llado, scenic design by Patrick Klein, lighting design by Edward Hunter, costume design by Scarlett Kellum, sound design by Brandie Larkin, properties design by Scott Ludwig, hair and makeup design by Gwyneth Price, and stage management by Jeff Grafton.

Tickets for ROCK OF AGES can be purchased online at paplayers.org, by phone at 650.329.0891, or by visiting the Box Office (Tuesday through Friday, 11 am - 4 pm) at the Lucie Stern Theater, located at 1305 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto. Performances at the Lucie Stern Theater begin on April 28 and continue through May 13, with a preview performance on April 27. Performance times are Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. Ticket prices range from $25 to $55. Discounts for seniors, educators, patrons under 30 (including children/students), and military are available for all performances except preview night. Special discounts of 20-25% for groups of 10 or more are also available. Note: This production features adult content and is recommended for ages 15 and up.

Events taking place during the run of ROCK OF AGES include:

Opening Night AfterGlow Party

Saturday, April 28

Enjoy a post-show champagne reception with drinks and appetizers while meeting the cast, FREE with the purchase of a ticket for that evening's performance.

Post-Show Cast Talkback

Thursday, May 3

Enjoy our Talkback series with Director Janie Scott and members of the cast following the performance, FREE with the purchase of a ticket for any performance during the run.

Post-Show Designer Talkback

TBD

Enjoy our Talkback series with Technical Director Nikolaj Sorensen and members of the design team of the show following the performance, FREE with the purchase of a ticket for any performance during the run.

In cooperation with The City of Palo Alto, ROCK OF AGES and the shows of the 87th Season of Palo Alto Players are produced at the Lucie Stern Theater, located at 1305 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto, California. Use of this facility is made possible through support from The City of Palo Alto, Community Services Department, Division of Arts and Sciences, and from our patrons.

About Palo Alto Players

Founded in 1931, Palo Alto Players is the San Francisco Peninsula's first theatre company. Based at the Lucie Stern Theater, built explicitly for Palo Alto Players in 1933, Palo Alto Players produces a season of comedies, dramas, classics, and musicals from September to June. Audiences and participants come from all over the Bay Area to be a part of Palo Alto Players' productions. Palo Alto Players is committed to providing a meaningful theatre experience for both audience and production participants. Intrinsic in this is the belief that theatre benefits the community-at-large and enhances the quality of life of those who are touched by it through education, enlightenment, and enrichment. Palo Alto Players is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established for public benefit.

For more information about Palo Alto Players and upcoming shows, please visit paplayers.org or call the box office at 650.329.0891. Follow Palo Alto Players on Twitter @PaloAltoPlayers or twitter.com/PaloAltoPlayers, on Instagram @PaloAltoPlayers, and on Facebook at facebook.com/PaloAltoPlayers.

Photo credit: Joyce Goldschmid

Pictured (L to R): Jessica LaFever as Sherrie, Jimmy Mason as Stacee Jaxx, and Jason Mooney as Drew in Palo Alto Players' ROCK OF AGES

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