"Rock of Ages" NYT review...

Did I miss it?

Why do you say that?

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I'd say it's fairly high profile for an off-Broadway show. It's premiering at New World Stages, it has a recognizable "star" in the lead, and they've had publicity all over town.

IMO, Rock of Ages review didn't appear in the NYT's Friday edition because of the conflict with All My Sons opening. I'd be willing to assume that we will be seeing a review by either Brantley or Isherwood sometime during this week. Or at least, another NYT reviewer. Most word of mouth and other reviews appear to be very positive.

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Like it or not, the NYT review holds a lot of clout. With regards to musicals, an unfavorable review doesn't necessarially kill the show (think Wicked or Young Frankenstein), but it sure boosts the box office. And unless some "star" is involved, it can murder a non-musical. It's not fair, but the imprimatur of the NYT, no matter who is reviewing, casts a lot of weight.

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Updated On: 10/19/08 at 06:53 PM

The show is soooo much fun! I agree with what everyone has said about the status of a Times review. That being said, I say who cares. The people who are going to love this show aren't gonna be the people who subscribe to the Times. It is definitely a show for pure fun. The book is weak, but the actors and singing are fab. Go see it!!

Dudes,

I'm buying tix to this show tomorrow. Word on the street is it's terrific.

But here's my question, about this one.

It has a cast of 30, at least.

YAY! for them. But it's a hard thing to do.

I'm gonna see it. I'm gonna pay full price for this one.

And I hope that it ROCKS. And I hope my full price works, and this show stays.

But it's all I can do.

30?? Its not quite that big. Actually theres 17 people in the cast, 3 of which are swings so you dont see them on stage unless someone else is out... if youre counting the band, a few of whom have lines, it at most pushes it to 5 more. Some people play a few characters so that helps cut down the cast size.

Testing,

I'm at work right now, but I do keep the reviews of most shows I've seen. I'm almost positive that Brantley liked Chenowith, but did not like Wicked per se at all. When I get home, I'll double-check the review and, if I'm wrong, I will admit so readily. Best. Ed.

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I still haven't seen a NYT review for this show. However, I was very happy to have seen this show last Saturday.

I saw both performances. I love this show! The high energy is awesome.

I like the way they intertwined all those songs together into a story. Will Swenson is over the top hilarious. I loved his Stacee Jaxx.

The entire cast works well together. The storyline might be cheesy, but that is how it's supposed to be and it works.

I also like how they start out a song with one or two members of the cast and then it builds up in energy and soon everyone is singing and dancing.

One of my favorite parts of the show is when they sing Every Rose Has Its Thorn. Really nice.

Miss Lizzy, I saw some pictures on this site of the after party and your pic was in there as the No 1 RoA fan. Shouldn't we have an official Rock Of Ages Love thread? I would think it would be yours to start.

I plan on going back many times. It's so much fun.

w

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Never Mind the Mullet; It’s the Tunes

"Rock of Ages" gives a theatrical narrative to a niche of '80s music: hair bands.

by ANDY WEBSTER

Published: October 27, 2008

Sooner or later it had to happen. The immortal hair bands of the 1980s finally receive their due in the brash jukebox musical “Rock of Ages” at New World Stages. It’s a natural fit: the era’s album-oriented radio — this production has no time for the British synthesizer bands, R.E.M. or the great dance music of the period — was closer to Broadway in its grandiosity than you might expect. But like much of the music that inspires it, “Rock of Ages” too often lacks a human pulse.

The paper-thin story, played for laughs, is about saving the farm, here the club: the Sunset Strip’s Bourbon Room, home of glamsters and metalheads and owned by Dennis (Adam Dannheisser, channeling too much Will Ferrell). While it’s targeted for demolition by predatory developers (Paul Schoeffler and Wesley Taylor), Sherrie (Kelli Barrett), an aspiring actress from Kansas, meets the gentle busboy and aspiring musician Drew (the “American Idol” alumnus Constantine Maroulis, appealingly self-effacing). Complicating their entanglement is Stacee Jaxx, a preening rooster of a singer (Will Swenson of this summer’s Central Park “Hair,” stealing the show with Axl Rose moves and Tim Curry overstatement). . . . .

the rest of the review:
http://theater2.nytimes.com/2008/10/27/theater/reviews/27rock.html?ref=arts

Updated On: 10/27/08 at 06:57 AM

He liked the direction, sets, costumes, lights, and Constantine. He liked Will Swenson, adding that he steals the show. I loved his Tim Çurry reference!

He wasn't wild about the rest but the review isn't the slaughter we feared it would be from the Times.

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Updated On: 10/27/08 at 09:20 AM

Good for you, Ed. I'm positive you'll have a good time-it's impossible not to!

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