Rock Of Ages Review (10/2 Preview)

[Hello Dawley]

Posted: 10/3/08 at 9:05am

If you are looking to have your face melted with awesome 80's rock tunes (Journey, Bon Jovi, Europe, ect...) and great performers, Rock of Ages is the show for you. It's not your typical musical...it's in-your-face rock with a hilarious book on top of it.

Dennis Dannheisser (Dennis) is Jack Black's clone in this show. He is funny as hell, and the dude's got some pipes. His love duet of "I Can't Fight This Feeling" by REO Speedwagon with Mitchell Jarvis (Lonny), is one of the many highlights of this show. He also had some great shirts (Hooray for boobies was my personal favorite)

The ensemble was one of my favorite parts of the show. The dancing girls are ridiculously sexy and they made it hard to watch anything else, not gonna lie. Nicely done, ladies. Call me.

Lauren Molina (Regina...pronounced like va...nevermind) and Wesley Taylor (Franz) were hilarious in their supporing roles, as was Will Swenson (Stacee Jaxx). Will is a sight for the ladies in the audience...and for you guys, if you're into that. He's got a hell of a rock voice and great charisma...funny too.

Constentine (Drew) actually suprised the hell out of me in this performance. I had seen him in other shows and just was not impressed, but this show was made for him. He does a hell of a job with these 80's rock songs and his acting has even improved since The Wedding Singer. He had some really good moments in this show.

Stealing the show, in my opinion, was Kelli Barrett (Sherrie). She had it all...she was sweet, innocent, beautiful, and had a bad-ass side to her, which is sexy as hell...not to mention the versatility of her voice. She was great with both the Rock and the pretty ballads. She can call me too

Overall, the show was very well done and it was a different night out at the theatre. If you are offended by language easily, go to The Little Mermaid or get the f*** over it. Prepare to have your balls rocked off!

[Mistress_Spouzic]

Posted: 10/3/08 at 1:49pm

I saw the preview as well, and quite loved it. I wouldnt say the language is the raciest part... the strip club scenes and the general lack of clothing on most of the girls is the more attention grabbing aspect.

Will Swenson... funny, great singer... needs to butch it up a bit. Sometimes hes spot on with the movements- dancing like Axl Rose- but other times I just wondered why the girls were pining for the gay one. Androgeny was a big thing in the 80s but hes walking such a fine line.

Everyone else was pretty fantastic... The show doesnt take itself seriously, it references itself as a theatre performance with funny bits about jazz hands, writers and act one finales which all got huge laughs. The band kicks ass.

I cant wait to see it again when theyre done tweaking in previews.

[Jane2]

Posted: 10/3/08 at 2:18pm

thanks for that review, Dawley, I think you're right on. I haven't had such a good time in a theater in ages-and this was only the second performance.

There wasn't a weak link in the entire cast. Swenson and Taylor both brought the house down with their special scenes. I too, was surprised at how good Constantine was. His voice is just right for the genre, and I liked his comic timing.

The show has lots going for it-a kickass band, (the drummer, Jon Weber, was drummer for Hedwig), it's campy ( shades of Rocky Horror), and as was mentioned, a great ensemble. The songs are those we all love, and the cast does them justice.

I can't wait to see it again, actually.

[LotteTBS138]

Posted: 10/3/08 at 4:45pm

I thought that show was an act too long! They could have easily done it all in one act... naturally, with chopping half of the songs but i think the bookwriter HAD to have ALL of those songs in the show.
Or maybe I shouldnt drink too heavily before going in which could make me more tired and sleepy!

[Jersey Girl2]

Posted: 10/3/08 at 5:29pm

>>>>thought that show was an act too long

Were you there the first night?
I spoke with a few of the actors after the show-They do plan on cutting a bit.

I had a blast, what a fun show- I'm going back again!

Updated On: 10/4/08 at 05:29 PM

[VocalLizzy]

Posted: 10/3/08 at 5:48pm

*SQUEAL*

Like Mistress, I went to the reading last year so I was eagerly anticipating the transfer to Broadway.

I just went online to purchase a ticket on a whim and got FRONT ROW CENTER for the 10pm show tonight!!! (That's also where I sat for the reading).

TOTALLY excited!!!!

Any BWWers that go, look for a redhead in olive green and say HI!

Miss Lizzy
Teen of the 80s...

[brdwybndCon]

Posted: 10/3/08 at 6:05pm

Have a great time tonight, Miss Lizzy! I have front row tickets in a couple weeks. Let us know what you think!

[Testing1232]

Posted: 10/3/08 at 6:15pm

Going in a few weeks as well !!! Really cant wait !!!

[Jane2]

Posted: 10/3/08 at 6:17pm

"I thought that show was an act too long!"

They've only had 2 performances. I'm sure you know they'll be cutting some during previews!

I think it was damn good for only the second preview!

[Jane2]

Posted: 10/3/08 at 6:17pm

double post

Updated On: 10/3/08 at 06:17 PM

[VocalLizzy]

Posted: 10/3/08 at 6:22pm

By the way, Dawley...you'll find it funny that Dennis was played in the readings last year by Kyle Gass, Jack Black's partner in "Tenacious D".

[BlueforBroadway]

Posted: 10/3/08 at 7:36pm

I'm going in a couple weeks! Can't wait. Thanks for the reviews.

[Hello Dawley]

Posted: 10/4/08 at 4:50pm

Yeah, I heard that. I'm sure KG was great!

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 10/5/08 at 2:46am

What's the playbill look like for this one?

[CateBroadway]

Posted: 10/5/08 at 10:17am

I saw it Friday night. I, like about 40 other people in the audience, left at intermission. It wasn't a train wreck. It definitely had some good moments, but I don't know what the &$*# they were thinking making an act one that long! I honestly thought the whole show was over and then that poor man's Jack Black came onstage and said come back in 20 minutes for Act II. It definitely wasn't the show for me. I think if I were in the right frame of mind I would have had a really good time. It sounded like some other (really drunk) people were having a great time though. But by midnight, I personally couldn't sit through another hour of the show.

[Mistress_Spouzic]

Posted: 10/5/08 at 12:57pm

Friday's 10pm performance should have been over around midnight- it started late... the house wasnt even open at 10pm. Unfortunate if the late hour prevented people from enjoying it, but I figured they must have had tech issues since I believe it was their first 2 show day.

The playbill looks like a guitarist in a really bad eighties wig in front of a light board.

[Jane2]

Posted: 10/5/08 at 1:05pm

Friday's 10 pm performance started late because of poor planning. It was silly for them to expect a second show less than half hour after the first one let out.
To make the rest time even shorter, the cast came out to greet fans with only 15 minutes to go before the next curtain. The house opened for seating at 10:10.

I'd be surprised if the show schedule doesn't change for next Friday. It's such an energetic and fabulous show that I think they need more time between performances

Updated On: 10/5/08 at 01:05 PM

[gbonbw=love]

Posted: 10/5/08 at 1:48pm

They're still in the preview stages. I'm sure all of this will get worked out before the actual opening.

Thanks for all your info and reviews! I can't wait to see it!
Updated On: 10/5/08 at 01:48 PM

[mee.who]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 5:00am

I saw this Saturday night, and while I completely agree that the first act is WAY too long (for a while I was wondering if they'd already cut it down and cut out the intermission, it was so long), overall I thought it was a good time and I'd mostly forgiven the long first act by the end of the second one. The show was over the top and fun and has a great cast.

Audra McDonald was in the audience Saturday night. She seemed to be enjoying herself and was quicker than most of the audience to stand during the curtain call.


Updated On: 10/6/08 at 05:00 AM

[LotteTBS138]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 8:06am

I understood/stand that I saw it the first night it had been shown to the general audience but did these people not time the performances during the general rehearsals and at the dress rehearsal? Naturally, clapping and the like do add a bit but that is generally accounted for.

I liked it, loved the 80s and LA references, but just felt it was too long and I'm sure the writer and director have been working 24/7 to try to fix it.

[nydirector2]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 2:30pm

I saw it on 10/2 and 10/4 matinee. The matinee was definitely a mistake. The cast was fantastic during the Thursday night show, but their voices were obviously tired on the Saturday Mat. Performing 3 shows with that kind of music in less than 16 hours is tough.

I agree that the show is long at times...especially since I got drinks before the show started and had to pee like a racehorse when intermission finally arrived. However, I got admit I loved pretty much all of the songs, and it would be difficult for me to have to cut anything. Some tweaking of the book would be good though. People aren't there to see the story(which the Narrator makes obvious during the show), they're there to hear the songs in a new/clever way.

[VocalLizzy]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 3:07pm

Hi, guys! Sorry I took so long to post this...

I was at the 10/3 late show (Hi, Mistress S! SOOOO glad to have met you and your friends!!!!) and while yeah, it started late, I had a FANTASTIC time.

I agree with NYDirector that some of the book could be cut and some other folks that felt Act 1 was too long, but I will also say that I haven't had that much fun at a show in a long time!

Anyone else get a cute LED-lighter before the show - came in VERY handy for the ballads and prevented us all from setting off the sprinklers.

This was one of those shows that could kick off a great evening out, rather than just be the entire evening. With terrific performances and a great choice of some of the biggest hits of the 80s, you walk out of the show exhilarated.

I have to say that, having seen Constantine in The Wedding Singer, I had a hunch he'd be a great fit for the role of Drew and I was right. His acting has strengthened since WS and his voice was made for these hard rock / pop rock songs - he just LOOKED comfortable in the role.

If you're looking for a serious, deep, moving evening of dramatic music...this is NOT the show for you. If you want to go back in time when metal ruled, sing along to tunes that we all remember from a simpler time (sorry, folks, do NOT expect a quiet crowd - these are songs EVERYONE knows) and just have nothin' but a good time, then ROCK OF AGES is for you!

With a lighter in my hand and a song in my heart,

Miss Lizzy

[LotteTBS138]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 5:06pm

>>Anyone else get a cute LED-lighter before the show - came in VERY handy for the ballads and prevented us all from setting off the sprinklers. <<

OMG, I thought maybe people had purchased them! I thought they were great for the ballads, a la lighters! Wish I had one!

[gbonbw=love]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 12:19pm

The cast of ROA rang the opening bell for the NYSE this morning!

Great publicity!!

[VocalLizzy]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 12:40pm

Saw them live on CBNC, nothing like ringing the Stock Exchange bell and then throwing "metal horns" (nice move, Constantine!).

Then spotted Constantine and Lauren Molina exchanging high-fives.

Let's hope the Rock's luck rubs off on the Dow and not the other way around!

Going back to the show again tonight...front row...WOOT!

Miss Lizzy