Rock of Ages
A rock musical, with a book by Chris D'Arienzo, built around classic rock hits from the 1980s
- The musical premiered in Los Angeles at The Vanguard Hollywood in January 2006 where it played for six weeks
- The off-Broadway premiere began at New World Stages in New York City on October 1, 2008.
- Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre with previews beginning March 20, 2009 and officially open on April 7, 2009
Synopsis
In the late 1980s, an aspiring rocker, Drew, works as a busboy in the trademark Hollywood bar/club The Bourbon Room. He falls instantly for a cute girl, Sherrie, who arrives from Kansas hoping to make it big in acting. After being hired by the bar, Sherrie accepts Drew's invitation to have a picnic at a place overlooking Los Angeles. There, he mistakenly suggests that the two are just friends. Later, at the Bourbon Room, ladies' man and lead singer for his band Arsenal, Stacee Jaxx, will be playing that night and instantly hits it off with Sherrie and the two have sex in the bar's bathroom. Subsequently, Drew proves his musical ability in the club and is chosen to open for Stacee. A record producer in the club offers Drew a contract, which he accepts.
Meanwhile, 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. It is revealed that the club will be torn down in the process, much to the anger of the Mayor's city planner, Regina.
Initially embarrassed when they meet on the street, Drew later tells Sherrie that he was angry that she left him for Stacee, but she did not think Drew liked her, since he said the two were just friends. After arguing in the street, Sherrie announces that she had actually liked Drew, but she is now over him. Sherrie becomes upset at Stacee's uncaring nature (he continually calls her "Rachel" for starters). Drew's rocker image has been changed to that of a boy band by his new record producer. An upset Sherrie meets "Mama", the owner of a nearby strip club (though she clearly prefers the term "gentleman's 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 Mama's offer to work in her club.
Stacee arrives at the club and is pleased to see Sherrie there, though Sherrie is not happy to see Stacee. Drew arrives to admit his feelings to her, but become disheartened when he sees the two in a suggestive position. Mama 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. Finally, Sherrie and Drew let bygones be bygones and rekindle their love for each other. The Bourbon Room is spared demolition and wash-up Stacee Jaxx has since moved to Uruguay. His position in Arsenal is replaced with Joey Primo. Everyone celebrates.
Musical numbers
- David Coverdale Introduction David Coverdale
- Just Like Paradise/Nothin' But A Good Time (Originally Performed By David Lee Roth & Poison) Rock Of Ages Full Company
- Sister Christian (Originally Performed By Night Ranger) Stacee Jaxx, Justice, Drew, Sherrie & The Rock Of Ages Cast
- We Built This City/Too Much Time On My Hands (Originally Performed By Jefferson Starship & Styx) Hertz, Regina, Franz, Dennis, Lonny, Drew, Stacee Jaxx & The Rock Of Ages Cast
- I Wanna Rock (Originally Performed By Twisted Sister) Drew, Sherrie & Ensemble
- We're Not Gonna Take It (Originally Performed By Twisted Sister) Regina, & Ensemble
- Heaven/More Than Words/To Be With You (Originally Performed By Warrant, Extreme & Mr. Big) Sherrie, Drew & The Rock Of Ages Cast
- Waiting For A Girl Like You (Originally Performed By Foreigner) Drew, Sherrie, Stacee Jaxx & The Rock Of Ages Cast
- Wanted Dead Or Alive (Originally Performed By Bon Jovi) Stacee Jaxx, Sherrie & Ensemble
- I Want To Know What Love Is (Originally Performed By Foreigner) Stacee Jaxx, Sherrie, Drew & The Rock Of Ages Cast
- Cum On Feel The Noize/We're Not Gonna Take It (Reprise) (Originally Performed By Quiet Riot & Twisted Sister) Stacee Jaxx, Drew, Dennis, Sherrie, Lonny, Regina, Andre Ward & The Rock Of Ages Cast
- Harden My Heart/Shadows Of The Night (Originally Performed By Quarterflash & Pat Benatar) Sherrie, Justice, Lonny & Ensemble
- Here I Go Again (Originally Performed By Whitesnake) Rock Of Ages Full Company
- The Final Countdown (Originally Performed By Europe) Hertz, Franz, Dennis, Lonny, Regina & Ensemble
- Any Way You Want It/I Wanna Rock (Reprise) (Originally Performed By Journey & Twisted Sister) Justice, Drew, Sherrie, Lonny, Dennis & Ensemble
- High Enough (Originally Performed By Damn Yankees) Drew, Sherrie & The Rock Of Ages Cast
- I Hate Myself For Loving You/Heat Of The Moment (Originally Performed By Joan Jett & Asia) Sherrie, Stacee Jaxx, Drew & Ensemble
- Hit Me With Your Best Shot (Originally Performed By Pat Benatar) Franz, Regina, Hertz & Ensemble
- Can't Fight This Feeling (Originally Performed By REO Speedwagon) Dennis, Lonny & Ensemble
- Every Rose Has Its Thorn (Originally Performed By Poison) Justice, Sherrie, Drew, Franz, Hertz, Stacee Jaxx & The Rock Of Ages Cast
- Oh Sherrie (Originally Performed By Steve Perry) Drew, Sherrie & The Rock Of Ages Cast
- The Search Is Over (Originally Performed By Survivor) Drew, Sherrie & The Rock Of Ages Cast
- Don't Stop Believin' (Originally Performed By Journey) Rock Of Ages Full Company
Cast:
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Ensemble of Groupies / off-stage singers / etc
Instrumentation:
Keyboard; Guitar I, II: Bass; Drums