Get Ready to Rock With Rock Of Ages!
I haven’t had this much fun in a while. Rock of Ages, a rock musical playing at the Helen Hayes Theatre since 2009, delivers as advertised “Broadway’s Best Party.” From actors dancing (and protesting) in the aisles to ushers taking your drink order as you sit, you feel like you are a part of the show. It is apparent that audience participation is greatly encouraged and you may be so inclined, as I was, to sing or dance along to the familiar tunes of the ‘80s. The whole experience can be likened to that of a concert-an enjoyable one at that. I challenge you to find a moment in this show when you are not genuinely entertained.
Though I arrive late and miss the first couple minutes of the opening number (Don’t we all hate those weekend NYC subway schedules?) I don’t dare miss a second more. The performers display an enormous amount of energy that is immediately noticeable and present throughout the entire show. This energy was amplified (literally) by the support of the spot-on acoustics. From my seat in the mezzanine, I hear every word the actors say as if I am sitting in the front row. The theatre itself, being cozy yet spacious, is greatly conducive to the show’s concert-like feel.
The scenery is very effective in immersing the audience in the world of the play as the theatre is adorned with many facets of the 80’s decade. A “Live Nudes” sign hangs high above stage left. There is bar onstage that has a “worn” feel to it and is graciously decorated with portraits of rock legends as well as the occasional vomit or urine stain (I didn’t say it was pretty). The set is even complete with swing-out bathroom. I must commend the set designers as well as the costume designer (Gregory Gale) on their recreation of such a realistic setting.
We are welcomed back to this “sexier time” (downtown Los Angeles in the late 1980’s) as so put by the narrator, Lonny (Genson Blimline), an infectious personality that is undoubtedly a fan-favorite. He introduces the audience to two characters (Drew and Sherrie) that will be at the center of the musical’s romance. Drew (Aaron C. Finley), is an aspiring rock star (from Detroit) that waits tables at the “Bourbon Room”, a bar where the play is set. Sherrie (Kate Rockwell) is the typical small-town girl that has just moved to Los Angeles in hopes of becoming an actress. Not to give anything away, but this sets up a certain Journey classic at the performance’s conclusion. Simultaneously, the “Bourbon Room”, owned by Dennis (Adam Dannheiser), is being forced to shut down due to a German developer’s (Paul Schoeffler) plans of turning the Sunset Strip into a row of malls along with his reluctant son, Franz (Cody Scott Lancaster). Regina (Josephine Rose Roberts) begins of lengthy protest of the developer’s plans in order to “Save the Strip”. The band, Arsenal, headed by Stacee Jaxx (Joey Calveri), is called in to play one last show at the “Bourbon Room” where they got started, but problems arise when Jaxx impedes on the impending romance of the two leads.
At the end of Act I, as noted by the narrator, Blimline, “everything is in turmoil.” He says “this is the part where nothing seems as though it’s going to turn out right,” but we know better than that. Blimline serves as the voice of the audience and bridges the gap between the actors on stage and us. He cleverly draws from the audience’s positive reaction to him, getting funnier and more ridiculous (if possible) as the show progresses. It’s impossible not to be amused by he and Dannheiser’s duet, “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” in Act II. Also in Act II, Blimline breaks the “fourth wall” in the most blatant way possible. He hands a Rock Of Ages Playbill to Finley telling him that he is in a musical and everything that has happened to him so far was the doing of the writers (so much for subtlety) and that it is up to him to change it.
Subtlety, however, is not what this show is going for in the least. Even with a predictable plot and the “boy meets girl” love story that we’ve seen time and time again, Rock Of Ages succeeds in keeping the audience intrigued with it’s over-the-top style, “cheesy humor”, and loveable characters. The cheap plug of putting the words “I Love NY” on the video board didn’t hurt either. The fact that the show is so purposefully ridiculous is what makes it unbelievably witty and funny.
It is worth noting that the ensemble is just as exciting to watch as the show’s leads (not taking anything away from them by any means). I am especially impressed with Andre Ward who flawlessly played three drastically different minor roles, though that admittedly adds some confusion to my viewing. Another role I enjoyed was that of Lancaster’s Franz who surely provides for some comical moments. He is soft-spoken throughout the whole show and spoke in a dialect hinting at his sexual preference. This leads to Franz having to reveal, “I’m not gay, I’m just German” much to the delight of the audience.
Musically, my favorite number was the closing of Act I, “Here I Go Again” (originally performed by Whitesnake). If you need to use the restroom at this point, I advise you to wait until intermission. You wouldn’t want to miss out on this one. Kelly Devine’s powerful choreography (jazz hands included) was the ideal, high-energy conclusion to the first act. Aaron C. Finley was featured in this song as well as many others, and his voice never once failed to impress me. It showed great flexibility to be able to sing softer rock ballads as well as flat-out belt the notes to some of the edgier songs. As a singer myself, I was struck by his dynamic vocal range and his sheer vocal endurance on stage. You can’t talk about endurance in this show without talking about the Rock Of Ages band. These guys were on stage for the duration of the performance and are really a quintessential part of the experience. Dannheiser asks, “Have you guys been here the whole time?” in reference to the band. After a moment, a roaring applause comes from the audience in recognition of the band’s impressive feat.
The high-energy entertainment continues through to the show’s end and I leave with a huge smile on my face. I can’t ask for anything more than that. Rock of Ages is wildly funny and entertaining. Knowing that I can just go to the theatre and purely enjoy the show without having to wrap my brain around a complex plot is a welcome feeling. I’m truly glad I saw it. If you want to have a good time, Rock Of Ages is the way to go.