Ahhh, the 80s. That transcendent, evolutionary time in our cultural history that ushered in mullets, mall bangs, day-glo, Lycra and Memorex. Sure, there were way more important things happening in the world at the time, but for those of us who were teenagers and too young to understand or care about anything else, we would not be deterred from our mission of reading Tiger Beat while creating the perfect mix tape. Such is the stuff of the second show in the Muni season, Rock of Ages.
Cheesy, campy, high-energy and colorful, Rock of Ages is the latest jukebox musical to be staged locally and for the second time in Springfield. It features a stapled-together plot that, as is often the case with these musicals, tries to connect a few dots between unrelated songs. Plot aside, this production roars to ear-splitting life with epic guitar solos, loud, thumping 80s rock and fun, hammy performances. Written by Chris D'Arienzo and directed by the team of Morgan Kaplan and Andrew Maynerich, the music and lyrics are a showcase of hits by bands including Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Styx, Journey, Joan Jett and many more.
The plot: it's the late 80s in L.A. Everyone is having nothing but a good time on the Sunset Strip when a small-town girl, "Sherrie" (Molly Norris), defies her brokenhearted parents and hops a bus to Hollywood to pursue her dream of making it big as an actress. Shortly after arrival, she stumbles into popular nightclub, the Bourbon Room, and gets a job as a waitress. There she meets busboy "Drew" (Shaw Riggs) and they develop mutual crushes. After receiving mixed signals from Drew, Sherrie decides to give in to her primal instincts by hooking up with big-city, big-egoed rocker, "Stacee Jaxx" (Scott Lecocq), who's in town for the final performance of his band, Arsenal. Confusion and chaos ensue and Sherrie tries to escape her feelings by taking on a stripping gig at the Venus Club while Drew keeps kicking himself for referring to Sherrie as "a friend." A burgeoning songwriter and powerhouse vocalist himself, Drew pours his energies into songwriting and pursuing a music career. Riggs and Norris are natural fits for their roles; bringing both innocence and grit to their respective parts.
Amid all this pathos, in swoop a couple of German developers, father and son "Hertz" and "Franz" (Dennis O'Brien and the hilarious Keagan Kantor) who bribe the corrupt Mayor (John Sivak) into letting them bulldoze the Sunset Strip and put up a Footlocker. This, they suggest, would help deal with the growing problem of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll taking over society. Totally plausible.
The show is narrated by the embodiment of the guys who typically worked at Musicland in the mall, "Lonny" (Kyle Depatis). Depatis turns in a very enjoyable performance, bantering with the audience as he continually breaks the fourth wall to help move the story along. Scott Lecocq as "Stacee" makes a full-on rock star entrance in a Dee Synder-esque wig and proceeds to melt faces with his searing vocals. Erica Metzger, who is electric as rabble-rouser "Regina" (pronounced with a long "I"), tirelessly protests the proposed development and Craig Williams II entertains as Bourbon Room owner "Dennis Dupree" with a dry wit and hippie vibe. Meredith Vogel-Thomas as Venus Club proprietor "Justice" helps Sherrie soften her hardened heart with some tough love and a sympathetic ear. A strong capable ensemble and onstage band keep energy levels high.
Vocal director Christie Lazarides gets some tight harmonies out of the talented cast, and the choreography (by Kaplan and Maynerich) is great fun. Lights and sound add a lot to create the 80s effect as does the epic use of a fog machine. I viewed a tech rehearsal last week to write this but will be curious to see the show with an audience. There were so many self-deprecating and winking references to the 80s, I can only imagine the reactions of those who, like, totally get it.
If reading this makes you want to grab a four-pack of Bartles and Jaymes wine coolers and head to the lake, Rock of Ages is probably for you. If you're not familiar or didn't grow up in the 80s, I assure you, you're in for quite an education wrapped in rock 'n' roll goofiness.
About the show
Rock of Ages enters its final countdown with shows on Thursday, June 29, through Saturday, July 1. Tickets can be purchased here https://www.metrotix.com/events/detail/smo-subscription or at the box office the night of the show. This musical is rated PG-13 due to language, sexual innuendos and mature situations.
Mary Young was born and raised in Springfield has been performing in, producing and directing live theater for decades. She she's done film and voice-over work and performs occasionally with bands and the improv troupe The Portuguese Rodeo Clown Company.
