8.05.2010

Rock of Ages (musical) How much do you hate Broadway?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
(→Casts of major productions)
(→Broadway cast replacement history)
Line 91: Line 91:
===Broadway cast replacement history===
===Broadway cast replacement history===
  +
{| class="wikitable"
! Role || Notable Replacements
! Role || Notable Replacements
|-
|-

Revision as of 19:20, 5 August 2010

Rock of Ages
RockOfAgesmusical.jpg
Original Broadway Cast Recording
Music various
Lyrics various
Book Chris D'Arienzo
Productions 2006 Los Angeles Trial
2008 Off-Broadway
2009 Broadway
2010 Toronto
2010 US Tour
2011 Melbourne
2011 Film

Rock of Ages is a rock/jukebox musical, with a book by Chris D'Arienzo, built around classic rock hits from the 1980s, especially from the famous glam metal bands of the decade. The musical features songs from Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Steve Perry, Poison and Asia, among other well-known rock bands [2]. It is directed by Kristin Hanggi and choreographed by Kelly Devine with music supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations by Ethan Popp. The show is noted for being more lighthearted and comedic than other shows on Broadway. During performance, the performers frequently break the "fourth wall", directly addressing the audience and seemingly forgetting (or perhaps reminding the audience) that they are actors in a play.

Contents

Synopsis

Act I

Narrator Lonny sets up the story: In the late 1980s, an aspiring rocker, Drew Bowie, works as a busboy in the Hollywood bar/club The Bourbon Room, owned by Dennis Dupree ("Just Like Paradise/Nothing But A Good Time"). He falls instantly for a cute girl, Sherrie, who arrives from Kansas hoping to make it big in acting ("Sister Christian"). After being hired by the bar, Sherrie urges Drew to go after his dreams ("I Wanna Rock").

German city developers, Hertz and his son Franz, convince the city's mayor to abandon the "sex, drugs and rock-n-roll" lifestyle of the Sunset Strip to introduce "clean living" into the area, much to the anger of the Mayor's city planner, Regina. ("We Built This City"). It is revealed that the Bourbon will be torn down in the process, and Dennis comes up with the idea to get money by having rock star Stacee Jaxx play his last show with his band Arsenal there ("Too Much Time On My Hands"). Regina begins protesting Hertz and Franz ("We're Not Gonna Take It").

Meanwhile, Sherrie can't get along with her parents over the phone, and Drew struggles to write lyrics that mean something ("More Than Words/To Be With You/Heaven"). Sherrie then accepts Drew's invitation to have a picnic at a place overlooking Los Angeles ("Waiting For A Girl Like You"). There, he mistakenly suggests that the two are just friends to calm their nerves, disappointing both of them and ruining the date.

Stacee Jaxx arrives at the Bourbon and gives an interview about his life ("Wanted Dead Or Alive"). Thinking she means nothing to Drew, Sherrie is immediately smitten. The two end up having sex in the men's bathroom ("I Want To Know What Love Is"). Subsequently, Drew proves his musical ability in the club and is chosen to open for Stacee. Stacee tells Dennis to fire Sherrie before Arsenal begins performing, and his guitarist ends up knocking him out. A record producer in the club suggests Drew take over, and then offers him a contract, which he accepts, and he angrily brushes off Sherrie when she is fired ("Cum On Feel The Noize"). Regina continues protesting ("We're Not Gonna Take It [Reprise]").

An upset Sherrie meets Justice, the owner of a nearby strip club (though she clearly prefers the term "gentleman's club") called the Venus Club. She relates to Sherrie's story, saying that many of the small-town girls hoping to hit it big in LA end up making a living as strippers. Much to her dislike, she accepts Justice's offer to work in her club ("Harden My Heart/Shadows of the Night"). Everyone finds themselves alone - Drew signing with the record company, Sherrie fending for herself, Regina protesting, Dennis defending his club ("Here I Go Again").

Act II

Hertz and Franz begin demolition on the Sunset Strip, alienating them from each other as Franz falls for Regina and sees "the error of their ways". Dennis and Lonny join in the fight with little success ("The Final Countdown"). Meanwhile, Drew's rocker image is upsetting the record producer, and Sherrie is learning how things work at the Venus Club ("Any Way You Want It/I Wanna Rock [Reprise]"). They then meet on the street, she embarrassed with her job and he admitting that his record company is turning his image to that of a boy band. They argue and Sherrie admits that she was crazy about Drew, but he said they were friends. They sadly part ways ("High Enough").

Stacee arrives at the Venus Club and is pleased to see Sherrie there, and after being forced to give him a lapdance, she subsequently beats him up while dancing ("I Hate Myself For Loving You/Heat Of The Moment"). Drew arrives to admit his feelings to her, but become disheartened when he sees the two in a suggestive position. Justice later tells Drew that as soon as he left, Sherrie punched Stacee in the jaw.

Regina continues her protest against the destruction of the Strip, but yields no success. She convinces Franz to stand up to his father if he does not believe in this cause. Franz admits he's had dreams of his own, namely to open a confectioner's store back home in Germany. He finally rebels against his father and admits his love for Regina ("Hit Me With Your Best Shot"). Dennis and Lonny, upset at the loss of The Bourbon Room, hilariously suggest they had feelings for each other ("Can't Fight This Feeling").

Sherrie decides to leave the strip club after upsetting Drew, and Justice tells her that she had a similar experience with her first love. Everyone is upset as they move on with their lives ("Every Rose Has Its Thorn"). Drew realizes none of his dreams have come true- he still isn't a rock star, and Sherrie has left for a midnight train. Lonny arrives to tell him to make his own destiny; its up to him to get the girl. He decides to go after Sherrie ("Oh Sherrie"). He reaches her in time, and they realize their love was always there, and forgive each other ("The Search Is Over").

In the end, the Bourbon Room is spared demolition and washed-up Stacee Jaxx (who has been charged with statutory rape) has since moved to Uruguay ("Renegade"). Franz makes up with Hertz, and opens his confectionery store in Germany. He and Regina have a long distance relationship. Dennis passes away. Sherrie and Drew move to Glendale and have a child, and Lonny notes how in Los Angeles, sometimes the dreams you come with aren't always the dreams you leave with, but they still rock ("Don't Stop Believin").

Productions

Los Angeles (2006)

The musical premiered in Los Angeles at The Vanguard Hollywood in January 2006 where it played for six weeks. Laura Bell Bundy (Legally Blonde) played the role of Sherrie in this early production.[1]

Off-Broadway (2008-09)

The Off-Broadway run began at New World Stages in New York City on October 16, 2008 and ran through January 4, 2009, featuring Constantine Maroulis, Paul Schoeffler and Will Swenson in the cast.[2]

Broadway (2009-)

The production transferred to Broadway at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre with previews beginning March 20, 2009, and officially opening on April 7, 2009.[3] The musical is scheduled to open in the West End in 2010[4]

The show's band has significant stage time compared to other musicals' bands and orchestras. The band was dressed in typical metal heads costumes as Stacee's back up band and they are always on stage. The drummer was placed inside a cage that jokingly said "Please don't feed the drummer". One of the guitarists in the stage band, Joel Hoekstra, is a member of Night Ranger, whose song "Sister Christian" is performed in the show.

Toronto (2010-)

The musical held an open call in October 2009 looking for fresh new faces. In December 2009 the cast was selected and quickly rehearsed for a performance on City TV's New Year's Eve Special. Previews began on April 20, 2010 at The Royal Alexandra Theatre Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with the official opening on May 11, 2010. This production opened with rave reviews from all Toronto critics.[5]

1st National US tour (2010-)

The US tour will begin at The Bank of America Theatre in Chicago, Illinois on September 21, 2010. The tour will then visit sixty additional venues. Tour stops include: Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Orlando and more to be announced.[6]. Constantine Maroulis has been confirmed to reprise the role of Drew for the tour.

Melbourne (2010-)

The musical is scheduled to premiere in Australia in April 2011 with a run scheduled for Melbourne's Comedy Theatre.[7]

Film (2011)

The film rights have been sold to New Line Cinema.[8] The film is expected to be directed by Adam Shankman and is expected to begin production in the Summer of 2010, for release in 2011.[9].

Casts of major productions

Original Broadway cast

The 2008 cast.
Role Original Broadway Cast Current Broadway Cast
Drew Bowie Constantine Maroulis Constantine Maroulis
Sherrie Christian Amy Spanger Emily Padgett
Stacee Jaxx/Sherrie's Father James Carpinello James Carpinello
Dennis/Record Company Man Adam Dannheisser Adam Dannheisser
Lonny/Record Company Man Mitchell Jarvis Mitchell Jarvis
Justice/Sherrie's Mother Michele Mais Michele Mais
Regina/Candi Lauren Molina Josephine R. Roberts
Franz Wesley Taylor Derek St. Pierre
Hertz Paul Schoeffler Paul Schoeffler

Broadway cast replacement history

Role Notable Replacements
Drew Bowie Joey Taranto
Sherrie Christian Savannah Wise, Kerry Butler, Emily Padgett
Stacee Jaxx/Sherrie's Father Mitchell Jarvis
Lonny/Record Company Man Jay Klaitz
Regina/Candi Josephine R. Roberts
Franz Tom Lenk, Derek St. Pierre
Hertz Don Stephenson

Original Toronto cast

Character Original Toronto Cast
Drew Yvan Pedneault
Sherrie Elicia MacKenzie
Stacee Jaxx/Sherrie's Father Peter Deiwick
Dennis/Record Company Man David W. Keeley
Lonny/Record Company Man Aaron Walpole
Franz Cody Scott Lancaster
Justice/Sherrie's Mother Angela Teek
Regina/Candi Adrienne Dennis
Hertz Victor A. Young

On July 25th, 2010 Josephine R. Roberts will be leaving the Toronto company to take on the role of Regina on Broadway. Adrienne Merell will be taking over for the rest of the Toronto run.

Musical numbers

Act I
Act II

+ - not on Broadway Cast Recording

The song "Rock of Ages" by Def Leppard is not in the musical because Universal Music Group did not allow the producers to get licenses for their songs.

Awards and nominations

The show was nominated for five Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical for Constantine Maroulis, Best Direction of a Musical for Kristin Hanggi, Best Costume Design for Gregory Gale and Best Sound Design for Peter Hylenski, but did not win any.[10] It also received two Drama League nominations: Distinguished Production of a Musical and Distinguished Performance for Constantine Maroulis [11], as well as two Outer Critics Circle Award nominations for Outstanding New Broadway Musical and Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical for Wesley Taylor[12] In June 2009, The Boulevard Magazine featured Rock of Ages as their June - July 2009 Cover with inside features on Constantine Maroulis and Director Kristin Hanggi [13]

On July 1, 2009, after a matinee performance of Rock of Ages, the cast set a new Guinness World Record for the Largest Air Guitar Ensemble. A total of 810 participants, including audience members and fans, shattered the previous record of 440 people playing air guitar simultaneously.[14]

In March 2010, while starring as Drew in the Broadway production, Constantine Maroulis received the honor of being immortalized in a caricature at Sardi's, taking his place alongside other Broadway luminaries similarly honored at the legendary New York City establishment.[15][16]

Golden Mullet Awards

On October 26, 2009, the show hosted the first annual "Golden Mullet Awards" after the 8pm performance. Billed as "Broadway's fourth biggest night", the show gave out "Golden Mullets" (a mock of the Tony Award) to the best on Broadway. Many of the categories that used for the awards were also puns of songs from Rock of Ages itself.

The winners were:

  • Nothin' But A Kick-Ass Band - Arsenal (Rock of Ages)
  • Can't Fight This Feeling to Touch Your Hair - Will Swenson (Hair)
  • Waiting For A Villain Like You - Christopher Sieber (Shrek the Musical)
  • Cast Most Likely to Dance On a Car in a Whitesnake Video - In The Heights
  • Best "In The Heat Of The Moment" Moment - Constantine Maroulis and Kerry Butler (Rock of Ages)

One more award was presented to Bret Michaels of the band Poison in jest of his infamous injury at the 2009 Tony Awards, where after he was finished performing with the cast of Rock of Ages, a descending set piece knocked him down and broke his nose.

References

  1. ^ "Laura Bell Bundy Stars in 'Rock of Ages' Tuner in LA Jan 26 - Feb 18", www.broadwayworld.com, November 30, 2005
  2. ^ New World Stages website newworldstages.com
  3. ^ Rock of Ages Storms To Broadway 4/7, Previews Begin 3/20 www.broadwayworld.com
  4. ^ "Rock of Ages Bang up for 2010 London Opening???", whatsonstage.com
  5. ^ Official site of Rock of Ages rockofagesmusical.com, retrieved December 1, 2009
  6. ^ BWW News Desk.ROCK OF AGES Launches 60-City National Tour in Chicago, 9/21".broadwayworld.com, March 1, 2010
  7. ^ [1] broadwayworld.com
  8. ^ Photo Coverage: 'ROCK OF AGES' Meets the Press BroadwayWorld.com March 4, 2009 broadwayworld.com
  9. ^ Hetrick, Adam."Shankman Will Direct Rock of Ages on Screen" playbill.com, October 20, 2009
  10. ^ "Nominees and Winners-The Shows", tonyawards.com, accessed May 12, 2009
  11. ^ "The Drama League Awards, 2009", dramaleague.org, accessed May 12, 2009
  12. ^ Lipton, B."Billy Elliot, Shrek Top Outer Critics Circle Award" theatermania.com, May 11, 2009
  13. ^ The Boulevard Magazine
  14. ^ Zielinski, Peter James. "Photo Coverage: ROCK OF AGES Breaks Guinness World Record for Largest Air Guitar Ensemble!". Broadwayworld.com. http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_Coverage_ROCK_OF_AGES_Breaks_Guinness_World_Record_for_Largest_Air_Guitar_Ensemble_20090702. Retrieved 2009-07-02. 
  15. ^ Gans, Andrew. "Rock of Ages Star Maroulis to Be Honored with Sardi's Caricature". Playbill.com. http://www.playbill.com/news/article/137842-Rock-of-Ages-Star-Maroulis-to-Be-Honored-with-Sardis-Caricature. Retrieved 2010-03-15. 
  16. ^ Lipton, Brian Scott. ""PHOTO FLASH: Rock of Ages' Constantine Maroulis Receives Sardi's Caricature"". Theatermania.com. http://www.theatermania.com/broadway/news/03-2010/photo-flash-rock-of-ages-constantine-maroulis-rece_25887.html. Retrieved 2010-03-18. 

External links

via en.wikipedia.org

Posted via email from Dogmeat