BWW Reviews: Touring Cast of ROCK OF AGES Ignites Audience at Wolf Trap's Filene Center

I admit the juggernaut that is Rock of Ages - 2008 off-Broadway hit musical, turned the still-running 2009 Broadway hit musical, turned ongoing touring production, turned recent 2012 Hollywood film - is one of those shows that I have avoided for some years. I decided to put my musical theatre snobbery aside for one night and see what all the fuss was about. In many ways, I am glad made the trek out to Wolf Trap to the latest touring production of this campy jukebox wonder. A committed and hugely talented cast with infectious energy in spades ultimately won me over.

With a tongue-in-cheek/in-on-the-joke-book by Chris D'Arienzo and direction by Kristin Hanggi (recreated here by Adam John Hunter), Rock of Ages follows two young and innocent young people aspiring to make it big in Los Angeles in the late 1980s. Detroit native Drew (a delightfully charming Dominique Scott) wants nothing more than to be a rocker and has been working at the Bourbon Room - a seedy bar/club on the Sunset Strip owned by aging rocker Dennis (a strong Jacob L. Smith) with support from the slightly off-kilter Lonny (the hilarious Justin Colombo, who also acts as the show's narrator and commentator) - in the interim. Sherrie (an appropriately naïve Shannon Mullen) also originates from the Midwest (Paola, Kansas to be exact) and has dreams to be a film actress. When the two meet - shortly after Sherrie moves to LA and, with Drew's help, gets a survival job at the bar - there's instant chemistry. Unclear definitions of the nature of the relationship, the city's move to redevelop the strip after some Germans lay out an investment strategy, and a troubled rocker (Stacee Jaxx, a self-confident Universo Pereira) complicate the Sherrie/Drew endgame. Both try to seek their own their own paths to fame and fortune and face numerous obstacles along the way. Suddenly, their dreams are redefined.

Familiar story, right? True. Yet, in the midst of the 'been there, done that' plot line (and a bit too many crass references for my taste), there's some fourth wall-breaking, insider theatrical cleverness and - if that's not enough - more than enough 80s rock anthems to spare to delight anyone enthused with the era's music. In the end, it's all silly fun. It all works because the creative team has not sought out to make the show to be something more than it is. With the help of some talented triple-threat cast members, a rocking and fully-integrated onstage 5-piece band (led by musical director Brandon Ethridge), some electric choreography including pole dancing (Kelly Devine, recreated by Marcos Santana), and sets (Beowulf Boritt), projections (Jason Lyons), and costumes (Gregory Gale), we're transported away to a different world.

The main feature of the show, of course, is the music of Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar and more; musical supervisor/arranger/orchestrator Ethan Popp has done a more than commendable job of capturing the sound and flavor of 80s hits such as "Don't Stop Believing," "We're Not Gonna Take It," "Any Way You Want it," "I Wanna Rock," "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" as well as others. He resists most temptations to musical theatre-ize them and they're particularly well integrated into D'Arienzo's book for a jukebox musical (the horridness that is Mamma Mia comes to mind here as a show that does the opposite).

Likewise, the cast - from principals to ensemble members - is more than capable of rocking out on these rock classics. At the forefront is the appropriately charismatic Scott who excels best on the many anthems with climatic endings ("I Wanna Rock" and more) thanks to his rangy and powerful voice. Mullen's expressive pop voice is also well-suited to the music especially ballads ("More Than Words"). Other vocal standouts include the sassy Amma Osei (Justice), who 'helps' Sherrie find her way following her departure from the Bourbon Room. With Mullen, the two sizzle on "Harden My Heart/Shadows of the Night." With support from a hugely talented and energetic ensemble cast, numbers like "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" can make even the most jaded theatre fan - like myself - smile. Well done, well done.

Running Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes, including an intermission.

Rock of Ages has one more performance at Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Road, Vienna, VA) on June 8, 2013. For additional tour dates see the tour's website.

Photo courtesy of Wolf Trap; Dominique Scott and ensemble featured.

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