**** Highly Recommended **** Are you ready to rock? Rock of Ages, the fabulous jukebox musical playing at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora, is the show for you! Although Rock of Ages has a plot, 'save the Bourbon Bar' as well as a boy-meets-girl sub-plot, the music is the real story – and it rocks! Seriously, the score includes 28 hits from artists like Bon Jovi, Journey, Styx, Pat Benatar, Poison, Twisted Sister, Steve Perry, Europe, Starship, Quiet Riot, REO Speedwagon and more. You’ll be dancing in your seat! 4 BIG Spotlights
Rock of Ages is set in the Bourbon Bar, legendary among rock and roll aficionados. The Bourbon has a bar, a bandstand and lots of pictures and memorabilia on the walls. At the front, there’s a neon arch spanning the stage, with neon palm trees and signs for the businesses on the Sunset Strip. One of the signs also becomes a huge TV screen. Kudos to Set Designer, Jeffrey D. Kmiec.
I have to think Amber Mak had a lot of fun directing this show. Almost every character is a ‘character’ – even the non-rockers! I thought it was a touch of genius to have Franz (Nick Druzbanski) introduce the show with his unique brand of hutzpah – and the guitar player walking upstage to let his hair blow in a ‘breeze’ before hitting the first note – so much fun!
I can’t say enough about the outstanding cast. It’s not easy to be a rock star – or an exotic dancer, for that matter, but they make it look easy! The rockers all have that amazing ability to sing, play an instrument and keep their bodies in constant motion – at the same time! Kudos to Amber Mak and Annie Jo Fischer: the entire cast executes fast, high-octane choreography which in perfect sync.
Dennis, Lonny and Drew
Lonny (Shea Coffman) works for Dennis (Karl Hamilton) who owns the Bourbon Bar on L.A.’s Sunset Strip. Lonnie frequently breaches the fourth wall as he ‘narrates’ the story. He’s kind of a lecher in a curious relationship with the Fog Master 5000. He has some very funny bits, particularly as he figures out the plot with the aid of Musicals for Dummies – jazz hands anyone?
Sherrie and Drew
According to Lonny (and Musicals for Dummies) a successful musical has to have a ‘love interest’ so he introduces the audience to Drew (Kieran McCabe), a wanna-be rock star working at the Bourbon and a girl named Sherrie (Taylor DiTola), who is literally just off the bus from Kansas. Drew is very attracted to Sherrie, but can’t find the words to tell her that – even with prompting from Lonny!
The scene shifts to City Hall where a sleazy German developer, Hertz (Michael Ehlers), and his son Franz (see above), are proposing a major re-development project for the Strip to the Mayor (Lexie Bailey). City Planner Regina (Carisa Gonzalez) – rhymes with vagina – is against the project, but the Mayor loves the money Hertz throws around.
Stacee Jaxx
Hertz give Dennis a 24-hour ultimatum – sell the bar or lose it to the wrecking ball. In an effort to save the Bourbon, Dennis invites rock star, Stacee Jaxx (Josh Scholl) and his band Arsenal – who all hate him – to perform. Sherrie ignores Drew when Stacee beckons, but after an ‘encounter’ in the men’s room, Stacee told Dennis to get rid of her.
Desperate for a job, Sherrie goes to work as an exotic dancer/stripper in club owned by Justice/Call-Me-Mother (Melody A. Betts). Meanwhile, a new agent puts Drew into a boy band. Both of them are miserable.
Mother & her girls
Meanwhile, Regina is organizing the community to save the strip. Franz, who’d rather be running a candy shop, warns her that his father will prevail. Regina and her cohort chain themselves to the door of the Bourbon.
And that’s just the first act!
The 5 man cover band – Kara Kesselring (Conductor/Keyboard), Dan Peters (Guitar1), Scott Tipping (Guitar 2), Jim Widlowski (Drums) and Janis Wallin (Bass) – are fabulous as they play hits of the 80’s like We Built This City, Don’t Stop Believin’, Hit Me with Your Best Shot, Wanted Dead or Alive, Can’t Fight This Feeling and more.
Masks are optional but guests are encouraged to wear them during the performance.
Rock of Ages runs through May 29th at the Paramount Theatre, 23 East Galena Blvd, Aurora. Valet parking is available, plenty of street parking too. Running time is 2 hours, 30 minutes, with an intermission.
Performances are Wednesdays at 1:30 and 7:00 p.m.; Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.; Fridays at 8:00 p.m.; Saturdays at 3:00 and 8:00 p.m.; Sundays at 1:00 and 5:30 p.m. Rock of Ages is suggested for ages 14 and up due to adult language and sexual content. Tickets range from $36-$79. FYI (630) 896-6666 or www.paramountaurora.com.