This is me, Justin Mortelliti, I play Drew in Rock of Ages, see how high I can jump??
Justin Mortelliti
I am not a morning person, most performers are night owls, vampires, I am no exception.
Justin Mortelliti
Watch out! Since I moved to Las Vegas for this show I quickly realized that I needed to sleep with two humidifiers and a vaporizer surrounding my bed. Keeps your vocal chords from drying out...the side effect...Little Orphan Annie morning hair.
Justin Mortelliti
Every morning when I leave my bedroom this is what I see. This is Phil, my roommate’s dog. He is awesome and waits patiently outside my door every morning for me to wake up.
Justin Mortelliti
My plant has been with me for seven years. I saw her outside of a 99 cent store in LA and she was like a piece of grass sticking out of dirt. A poor sight. Like the plant version of the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. I fell in love.
Justin Mortelliti
I usually eat the same thing daily for breakfast. Some Kashi Go Lean Cereal with fresh strawberries (organic, since a friend convinced me if I don't eat organic I'll get cancer and now I have a phobia) with some almond milk and my morning cup of coffee.
Justin Mortelliti
After breakfast I sit down at my computer and do some office work. Facebook (Justin Mortelliti), Twitter (@justmort), Emails, Social Networking, Songwriting, Publicity stuff, etc.
Justin Mortelliti
"The Fall and Rise" has been released already but since my song "The Fall" has been picked up for FM radio play here in Vegas by The Highway Vibe and entered their Top 20, I needed to tweak it and have some copies made to send to more radio stations.
Justin Mortelliti
Then I hop in the car and head off to the gym. I usually start my vocal warm up here, singing along to the radio or my iPod to get a head start. Today was Bruno Mars. His new album is sick.
Justin Mortelliti
At the gym for a heavy workout. Broadway Bares is coming up and although I haven't seen my costume yet I know it will be very minimal. P.S....I'm NOT a fan of mirror selfies at the gym, but I broke a cardinal rule and did this for you Playbill.com.
Justin Mortelliti
Arrive at The Venetian for a bit of relaxation time before work.
Justin Mortelliti
After workout pool session. Working on the tan and taking some time to breathe is important for me to feel at ease. It's my version of GTL. Remember, I AM from New Jersey.
Justin Mortelliti
At the Canyon Ranch Spa Club at the Venetian. It's so beautiful here and the cast is lucky enough to be on a VIP list. I can't tell you how nice it is to use the steam room before a show to get the dry Vegas desert throat taken care of.
Justin Mortelliti
After the steam room I head to the Rock of Ages rehearsal studio for our Broadway Bares rehearsal. Coming up on April 21st, we have a lot to prepare for. The cast will be doing a number together.
Justin Mortelliti
Here Allie Meixner, Amanda Miller and I learn some choreography.
Justin Mortelliti
Then Allie Meixner shows me the girl's dance break she's been learning.
Justin Mortelliti
Amanda Miller (Waitress #1) starts her make- up process. She's the youngest member of our cast and everyone's kid sister. Lotta love for this one.
Justin Mortelliti
I've realized the importance of "rolling out" and stretching before a show as part of my daily ritual. Jumping off of bars and stomping around dancing in Vans and boots all night will do a number to your leg muscles.
Justin Mortelliti
Stretching and goofing around in the girl's dressing room has also become a pre-show ritual.
Justin Mortelliti
Here Patrick Joyce (Joey Primo), Amanda Miller (Waitress #1) and Celina Nightengale (Onstage Swing) get ready for the show.
Justin Mortelliti
Sugarfree Redbull. Was my best friend back in my late night bartending days and now it's my best friend for Rock of Ages. On days when I need it, it give me some wings for that extra boost.
Justin Mortelliti
It’s make-up time!
Justin Mortelliti
Here we go!
Justin Mortelliti
I've hung up some artwork in my dressing room of my favorite rock ‘n’ roll inspirations to get me pumped and watch over me: Freddie Mercury, Mick Jagger, Kurt Cobain, and Steven Tyler.
Justin Mortelliti
Another mirror selfie!
Justin Mortelliti
Carrie St. Louis (Sherrie) and I do a final warm up for our voices in the rehearsal room right before showtime.
Justin Mortelliti
Our go to warm up song is "High Enough." Both of us agree that it's the most challenging song of the night, so why not start with it?
Justin Mortelliti
Carrie St. Louis and I fight over who has the RedBull.
Justin Mortelliti
Kyle Lowder (Stacee Jaxx) comes down the hall to hang, chat and laugh with Carrie St. Louis and me before we are called to "places."
Justin Mortelliti
Carrie St. Louis (Sherrie) and I having a pre-show photo session in my dressing room.
Justin Mortelliti
Oops, be careful, you never know when Mark Shunock (Lonny) will play a practical joke on you. In your bathroom.
Justin Mortelliti
Mark Shunock (Lonny) and I get ready to head up to the stage as they call places at 7:58pm
Justin Mortelliti
At intermission I blowdry my hair. I'm one of the few in our cast that doesn't wear a wig. Carrie was mid costume change when she took this pic. I don't know if she knew she was visible in the mirror behind me... she didn't end up caring. Go Carrie!
Justin Mortelliti
Jersey comes to Vegas. I had some old high school friends in from New Jersey this weekend. After giving them a tour everyone squeezed into my dressing room for a photo. I really felt the love that night. And the audience felt the East Coast energy.
Justin Mortelliti
The crew was pumped and ready for a night out with the cast. I've learned the art of entertaining my visiting friends and keeping myself under control so I can still sing the next day. Rock and Roll lifestyle & Rock and Roll singing are a tricky balance.
Justin Mortelliti
Photo op in the corner booth of the club.
Justin Mortelliti
After we left the club some cast members (Brandon Nix and Patrick Joyce) joined my friends for some late night grub.
Justin Mortelliti
Once I get home I usually relax on the couch to watch TV for a bit to wind down. Phil joined me on the couch. After this I fill my two humidifiers and vaporizer with water, surround my bed with them and go to sleep. Celine Dion would be proud.
Justin Mortelliti
"More than a musical, Rock of Ages is a party featuring music that ignited a generation," said Michael Cohl, executive producer and chairman of S2BN, in a statement. "It's about fun, energy and having a great time, so it's a natural fit for Las Vegas."
Set in L.A.'s infamous Sunset Strip in 1987, Rock of Ages, according to press notes, "tells the story of Drew, a boy from South Detroit, and Sherrie, a small-town girl, both in L.A. to chase their dreams of making it big and falling in love. Rock of Ages takes you back to the times of big bands with big egos playing big guitar solos and sporting even bigger hair!"
The musical borrows hit tunes from the 1980s and includes classics such as "Every Rose Has Its Thorn," "I Wanna Know What Love Is," "Here I Go Again," "Don't Stop Believin'" and more. Rock of Ages is directed by Tony Award nominee Kristin Hanggi (Bare, Pussy Cat Dolls on the Sunset Strip) and choreographed by Kelly Devine (Jersey Boys associate choreographer). The musical features a book by Chris D’Arienzo, original arrangements by David Gibbs, and music supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Ethan Popp.
The production features set design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Tony nominee Gregory Gale, lighting design by Jason Lyons, sound design by Peter Hylenski and projection design by Zachary Borovay.
The regular performance schedule for Rock of Ages Las Vegas will be Tuesdays-Fridays and Sundays at 8 PM with Saturdays at 7 PM and 10 PM.
Visit RockOfAgesVegas.com.
