Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
1. Perhaps the worst script every written in the history of jukebox musical theater. Contrived, self-referential bullSH*T. A Beatlemania-esque piece would have been a lot better.
2. Teach the cast how to respond to the rowdy drunks who talk back. Non-stop drink service during the show (yes, I know...), somebody's gonna get drunk and become rowdy and start heckling, like during this afternoon's matinee. Rather than have the dude who's playing the gay Jack Black stand there like a deer in the headlights, teach him to respond.
Overall, it was fun. If the script weren't so lame, I would have had a better time.
Band was phenomenal - probably the best in New York at the moment. Cast was very strong - Constantine Maroulis knows how to make love to the audience; Kelli Barrett (who is ridiculously HOT) is a star in the making. Great to see Lauren Molina out from behind a cello. Will Swenson and Paul Schoeffler are fun, as well.
Great design elements; direction is solid; choreography isn't anything to write home over.
Crowd ate it up. Delicate mix of twenty-somethings and fifty-somethings. Not at all full.
Could be a huge Broadway smash.
<< 1. Perhaps the worst script every written in the history of jukebox musical theater >>
<< Could be a huge Broadway smash. >>
Wow... doesnt say much for the state of Broadway given the above comments.
Saw it last night, and really enjoyed it, but saw it for what it was .. a show that was able to make fun of itself. Was basically there for the music, and given the voices (thought they were all excellent,) and a kick-a&& band, the show didnt disappoint.
Agree about the alcohol being served all show. NOT a very good idea. Definitely agree about Barrett. A definite star in the making !!
Wait... Lauren Molina is in this?!?!
I guess I'm going now!
Yep... and she is very good !
Found something weird, that maybe someone can clarify---
There were no headshots in the Playbill. Just found it odd.
I sort of wish they would not sell alcohol during the performance. I got distracted at one point by a neighbor getting a drink and missing a bit. Took me a few minutes to get back into it.
I don't take Rock of Ages too seriously. It's not Andrew Lloyd Sondheim (to quote Lonny), but it was a lot of fun.
A good night out with friends.
The band is very good. A nice collection of experienced musicians.
Love Maroulis. Swenson is over the top fun.
Leading Actor Joined: 5/16/05
I'm looking forward to this show, and have tix for next week.
But I'm curious. How is this show financing itself? The cast is HUGE. The reviews were not over-the-top good, but they were basically very good. They said "It's a fun night out."
But I don't get the finances. At those ticket prices, it can't possibly break even on a week-to-week basis.
Broadway Star Joined: 1/19/08
Lauren also wears a hot pink thong as she points out on bway.com
The Jack Black impersonation is really annoying, but this show is perfect for people who just want to sing along to their favorite 80's songs.
Also Yankee, this probably should go in a different thread, but your credibility is hurt a little bit by saying that Illyria is better than Billy Elliot. That might be one of the craziest things I've heard all year.
Is the cast huge?
Drew
Sherrie
Lonnie
Dennis
Stacee Jaxx
Regina
Hertz
Franz
Mama
Tad Wilson does swing
Three ensemble dancer/singers
5 piece band.
Did I miss someone?
Is this considered a huge cast? I don't know what is huge, honestly.
"Constantine Maroulis knows how to make love to the audience"
One of the reasons keeping me from seeing this show is his "I'm all that and a bag of chips" attitude.
"this show is perfect for people who just want to sing along to their favorite 80's songs"
If that's the only reason, they're better off staying home and popping in their 80's CD collection.
Our fingerprints don't fade from the lives we touch.
Puppies are babies in fur coats.
Tinfoil...The Terrorizing Terminator
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
By off-Broadway standards, and who knows what they're paying Constantine for his "name."
I didn't know Lauren Molina was in this either, I thought she was the best thing about the Sweeney revival.
"But I'm curious. How is this show financing itself? The cast is HUGE. The reviews were not over-the-top good, but they were basically very good. They said "It's a fun night out."
Easy. They aren't getting paid by reviews. They are getting paid by the number of tickets sold x the price of each ticket. Just like Mamma Mia (another show of questionable artistic merit that does what it was meant to do well), this show is more for the tourist crowd looking to have a good time above anything else. And so far, it's selling pretty well, especially when the B&T head into town on the weekends.
As for worse script ever written for a jukebox musical, at least this show knows what it wants to be and doesn't take itself too seriously. Good Vibrations expected us to care about its characters after slapping us around with cliche after cliche for two acts. I wish the orchestrations for this show allowed for the songs to build more (for a lot of the songs, just when things seem to be kicking into high gear, they retreat back into the story and drop the song), but it IS a fun time.
Indeed it is a 'fun time' -
Caught the show last night, review to follow!
Peace,
- Mike
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
Leading Actor Joined: 5/16/05
"They aren't getting paid by reviews. They are getting paid by the number of tickets sold x the price of each ticket."
Well... No. Actors have a union. They get paid a minimum, not what the tickets times X are.
They're getting paid Equity Minimum. Which has nothing to do with the price of each ticket.
For an Off-Broadway show, it's a huge nut, paying a cast of -- (what? sixteen -- with understudies?).
"Make Me a Song" had a cast of four. It couldn't run at the same theatre. Closed at a loss. "Alter Boyz" has to do a split week to pay for its nut.
I'm just asking.
maybe they have a deal with new world that considers part of the alcohol sales into their financial arangement ?? Just a thought...
Leading Actor Joined: 5/16/05
Perhaps, Mistress.
There's a lotta profit in the booze. Do they really sell cocktails during the show?
That's a BIG TIME profit situation.
But not good for the show. Drunks are no fun, if you're on stage.
And honestly, I was at New World Stages when they were doing "Evil Dead," and they were selling drinks then. A couple of idiots bought the drinks, but it was not the norm. Most people at that show didn't drink.
And "Evil Dead" closed in two weeks.
they do... last time I went my side row alone bought 8 beers and Ive bought a shot everytime Ive gone. The cast dont seem to mind it (in the bway.com video thing they say they like it, but who knows)... its the kind of show where if the audience is a bit rowdy it can be a blast and conversely it can really kill the mood when no one uses the lighter or sings when Will Swenson's trying to get the crowd to sing the "Dead or Alive" part.
ive seen people yell things and stand up and its gotten huge reactions from the rest of the crowd. if youve seen the show youll get this- "pick taint" was something someone yelled and Mitchell Jarvis broke character to laugh too. of course im sure itd be awful if people got stupid drunk. Im also sure selling drinks is meant to get people a little bit away from thinking of it in the normal context of a stage piece- to loosen up- as well as to help with the profit margin.
It reminds me a lot of Rocky Horror in the way that the cast enters from everywhere, you get a prop, things get thrown over the audience, etc. I always give an enthusiast scream during the preshow announcement telling people they cant video "unless youre hot and willing to flash us."
Updated On: 10/26/08 at 04:03 AM
I have to add to Mistress that during the preshow announcement, I love when they say "If you're texting during the show, well, then you're a douchebag." I totally appreciated that.
Right now, everyone's wound up...we've got an economy going who-knows-where on greased roller skates, the country in a war, an election, blah blah blah negative sh*t.
I don't know about the rest of ya'll but I can totally appreciate a show where I can hear incredibly familiar songs, get a little buzz going (NOT a stupid drunk, just softening my edges a little) and see some incredbly talented actors / singers / dancers for a VERY reasonable price (there's discounts everywhere for this show).
It lives up to its tag line - NOTHIN BUT A GOOD TIME.
And your concerns about Constantine having an "all that" attitude? Nowhere in sight in this performance. His Drew is shy, insecure, almost nerdy, which contrasts beautifully when he lets loose with some vocal performances that pin your ears back ("Here I Go Again" or "High Enough", anyone?).
Will Swenson (whose birthday is today - Happy B-day, "Stacee!!!") steals the show with his libidinous, arrogant, swaggering Stacee (and sadly, it is not a total caricature - I've been backstage at enough rock shows to sy that he's REALLY on target). Wesley Taylor is cuter than a basket of puppies and just breaks out in Act 2, and I agree with the other posters on this thread that Kelli Barrett is DEFINITELY headed for stardom - she's a stunning "triple threat" and just glowingly lovely.
I also adore the underrated Michele "Maisey" Mais as Venus Club owner Justice, the strip cl...I mean, gentleman's club owner with a heart of gold (a stunning R&B diva, with a few Eartha Kitt purrs in her vocals). IMHO, she'd be a TERRIFIC Mama Morton in "Chicago" but only once this show ends its run (which I hope isn't anytime soon).
The band IS full of rock and roll ringers - starting with no less than Night Ranger guitarist Joel Hoekstra ("Sister Christian" in Act 1 must be a cakewalk for him LOL). I actually noticed his wearing a NR wristband yesterday and he said that while he's been wearing it at every show, I was the first person to notice it. LOL
FYI, Sara...the announcement is, I think, "Text messaging during the show makes you look like a douchebag". :)
Check your inhibitions (WITHIN REASON) and day-to-day circa 2008 worries at the door, and enjoy!
Miss Lizzy
Diva Denizen at Dupree's!
Rock of Ages - Nothin' But a Good Time!
<< And your concerns about Constantine having an "all that" attitude? Nowhere in sight in this performance. His Drew is shy, insecure, almost nerdy, which contrasts beautifully when he lets loose with some vocal performances that pin your ears back ("Here I Go Again" or "High Enough", anyone?).
>>
Totally agree, and was one of the first things that I discussed with Sara... I never really liked Constantine at all. That constant "I am a "Rockstar" snarl from his "AI" days always bothered me, but it is nowehere in this performance !!
He is basically a geek ! And does a great job with it.
"And honestly, I was at New World Stages when they were doing "Evil Dead," and they were selling drinks then. A couple of idiots bought the drinks, but it was not the norm. Most people at that show didn't drink.
And "Evil Dead" closed in two weeks."
Really, what ARE you talking about? First of all, Evil Dead ran for over four months.
Second of all, patrons for that show brought in tons of money for our bar. The crowds were enthusiastic, and everyone loved it. It was that kind of show, as is Rock of Ages.
"Alter Boyz" has to do a split week to pay for its nut."
Oh really? And from where did you get THAT information?
BTW-it's ALTAR Boyz, and it plays eight shows per week.
I just watched the broadway.com video and I must see this show. This is the music I grew up on!
Testing,
I believe that headshots are normally excluded from off-Broadway productions. Someone else can either correct me if I'm wrong or give a better explanation, but yea- headshots are only required in Broadway playbills.
Frogs_fan...you get it. EXACTLY. Can't wait to see you there!!!
Miss Lizzy
Diva Denizen of Dupree's
Halloween at Rock of Ages - Wanted Dead or Alive!!!
Videos