Rock of Ages, with Maroulis, Barrett, Molina and Swenson, Opens Off-Broadway Oct. 16
By Andrew Gans
16 Oct 2008
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Will Swenson
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The 1980s-set musical Rock of Ages — starring "American Idol" finalist Constantine Maroulis — officially opens at Off-Broadway's New World Stages Oct. 16. Previews began Oct. 1.
Joining Maroulis onstage are Kelli Barrett, Nova Bergeron (Wicked national tour), Adam Dannheisser (The
Coast of Utopia, Twelfth Night), Mitchell Jarvis (Fiddler on the Roof), Michele Mais (Roza, Zoot Suit), Lauren Molina (Sweeney Todd), Brian Munn (Wicked), Angel Reed (The Country Girl, Rock 'n' Roll), Paul Schoeffler (Sweet Charity, Nine, Peter Pan), Wesley Taylor, Savannah Wise (Les Miserables), Will Swenson (Hair, Lestat, Brooklyn), Jackie Burns, Lara Janine, Tad Wilson and Jeremy Woodard.
Featuring a book by Chris D'Arienzo, the musical, press notes state, is "fueled by high-octane '80s rock – from the anthems
that defined an era to the power ballads that lit up arenas everywhere." Expect songs by Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, Reo Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Asia and Whitesnake.
The producers describe the musical as such: "It's the late 1980s and the final countdown is on for a legendary Hollywood rock club facing its demise at the hands of eager developers. When a young rocker hungry for his big break and a small town girl chasing her dreams land on the scene at this infamous venue, how far will ambition drive them? And will it be lights out for the club and all the regulars and rockers who have made it their home?"
In a statement writer D'Arienzo said, "The genre of '80s rock was so grandiose in its theatricality that for me it only made sense to turn something like 'Sister Christian' into a showtune. This was lifestyle music. It was just as much about the look, the clothes and the parties as it was about the songs. We'd all
like to believe we were just listening to Elvis Costello and The Buzzcocks back then, but I know my first kiss was to Great White's 'Once Bitten Twice Shy,' so there you go."
The creative team also includes set designer Beowulf Boritt, costume designer Gregory Gale, lighting designer Jason Lyons, sound designer Walter Trarbach, choreographer Kelly Devine and music supervisor/arranger/orchestrator Ethan Popp (original arrangements by David Gibb).
Rock of Ages is produced by Matthew Weaver, Carl Levin and Corner Store Entertainment in association with Scott Prisand, Janet Billig Rich, Hillary Weaver, Jeff Davis, Charles Rolecek, Susanne Brook, Jennifer Maloney and Prospect Pictures.
Show times are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at 8 PM, Friday at 7 and 10 PM, Saturday at 2 and 8 PM and Sunday at 3 PM.
Tickets, priced $46.50-$80.50, are available by calling (212) 239-6200 or by visiting www.telecharge.com. Premium tickets offering seat-side cocktail service are available for $126.50.
New World Stages is located in Manhattan at 340 West 50th Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues.
For more information visit www.RockOfAgesMusical.com.
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Rock of Ages co-stars Constantine Maroulis and Kelli Barrett.
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| photo by Joan Marcus |
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