Broadway in Chicago Hosts National Tour
ROCK OF AGES has come to Chicago on it's tenth anniversary tour! She’s just a small town girl from Paola, Kansas. He’s a city boy from Detroit. They meet on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood, California with big dreams and even bigger hair. Sherrie wants to be a movie star and Drew wants to make it big as a rockstar.
Their love story is intertwined with the residents of the Sunset Strip’s fight against the man! Or in this case fighting against the city to keep their beloved strip from being torn down to make way for a Foot Locker and Arby’s.
But of course our characters end up in conflicts by the end of Act One, leaving us to wonder if they can save their neighborhood and realize the love that’s right in front of them.
Jukebox Musical to Fill Your 80s Passion
If you love Quiet Riot, Whitesnake, Pat Benatar, Poison, Journey, this show is for you. ROCK OF AGES is full of classic rock hits by these artists and so many more. With the band on stage it feels like we’re right smack dab in the middle of a concert.
The story is written to incorporate these songs into the story (think the style of Mamma Mia). We’ve got We Built This City by Starship as a call to remember what the Sunset Strip was built for.
Heaven by Warrant finally gives Drew the words he needs to write his music as he puts his feelings for Sherrie into song.
And of course what would a classic rock show be without Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing. It’s a great set list that keeps rocking!
Visual and Meta Storytellers
Witty, sarcastic, and self-described dramatic conjurer, John-Michael Breen plays Lonny as our narrator for the evening. He introduces us to Dennis, played by Ryan M. Hunt, the owner of Dupree’s Bourbon Room and helps come up with a plan to save the bar. He rolls out the grassy green carpet as he takes us to Drew and Sherrie’s first date on the hillside.
He and the rest of the cast are constantly breaking the fourth wall and creating this meta world of they know they’re in a cliche musical, but they make sure we’re having the time of our life in their world of sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll.
ROCK OF AGES is an energetic show that will have classic rock lovers wanting to sing along in their seats. It’s a good fit for music fans and fun musical lovers alike. If you’re looking for a more classic musical, this one might not be for you.
RECOMMENDED
Note: This is now added to the Picture this Post round up of BEST PLAYS IN CHICAGO, where it will remain until the end of the run. Click here to read – Top Picks for Theater in Chicago NOW – Chicago Plays PICTURE THIS POST Loves.
CAST
ANTHONY NUCCIO
KATIE LAMARK
JOHN-MICHAEL BREEN
SAM HARVEY
CHRIS RENALDS
RYAN M. HUNT
KENYA HAMILTON
ANDREW TEBO
KRISTINA WALZ
MICHAEL BOJTOS
KYLE JURASSIC
MARK LADUKE
CARLINA PARKER
DARRELL PURCELL JR.
STEPHEN ROCHET
ZOE UNKOVICH
BRENNA WAHL
CREATIVE
CHRIS D’ARIENZO
ETHAN POPP
MARTHA BANTA
JANET ROTHERMEL
SAMANTHA TELL
TONY GONZALEZ
DAVID GALLO
CYNTHIA NORDSTROM
MIKE BALDASSARI
CODY SPENCER
MONICA SABEDRA
RAY WETMORE
BRANDON ETHRIDGE
MARSHALL KEATING
When
Now through April 28, 2019
Tuesday, April 23 at 7:30PM
Wednesday, April 24 at 7:30PM
Thursday, April 25 at 7:30PM
Friday, April 26 at 7:30PM
Saturday, April 27 at 2PM & 8PM
Sunday, April 28 at 2PM & 7:30PM
Where
James M. Nederlander Theatre
24 W. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL
Tickets
$20+
Full price tickets can be purchased through the Broadway in Chicago website.
Photos
Jeremy Daniel
Note: Picture this Post reviews are excerpted by Theatre in Chicago
About the Author
Alexis is a theater reviewer, travel bug, media specialist, and burger & beer enthusiast. During the day she works in the advertising business as a senior communications designer. When night falls, or when she can escape to New York, she’s hitting the theaters to see as many shows as she can. And whenever she’s not at her desk or in the audience, she’s out seeking the best burger and beer offerings in Chicago.
Editor's Note: Click here to read more Picture this Post articles by Alexis Bugajski
