by Macey Levin
Sharon Playhouse, Sharon, Connecticut blasts into the 2024 summer season with the ever rollicking paean to the MTV years, Rock of Ages. Written by Chris D’Arienzo, the show ran for six years in the early 2000’s on Broadway and continues its crowd pleasing evocation of the 1980’s Hollywood’s Sunset Strip with its ebullient celebration of sex, drugs and rock and roll. 80’s musicians such as Styx, Journey, Bon
Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Steve Perry, Poison and Europe, as well as other well-known rock bands are the back bone of the score.
The thinnish storyline is constructed of several sub-plots that intertwine as the show evolves amid clashing philosophies regarding the city’s civic history and its seamier side. But you won’t care too much as the characters romp through about two dozen hits and lesser known songs from that time period. The stage is always pulsing as the cast swings from raucous nostalgia to comic mockery with elan.
The familiar theme of boy meets girl is sweetly realized by the talents of Drew (Jordan Bullwerk) and Sherrie (Giuliana Augello), both new to the city in pursuit of their naive dreams of stardom. They fall in love, but are afraid to admit it which drives them in other directions. However the age old trope prevails as they finally reunite after a series of misadventures and painful lessons as we know they will. The duo is charming and they imbue the characters with soul and verve as they rise above the smarmier side of show biz.
Lonny (Jordan Friend), the narrator and manager of the show’s Bourbon Room, and Dennis (Kilty Reidy), the owner of the bar, are trying to avert demolition of the establishment they love. Survivors of the 70’s version on the same theme they are world-weary and have found their anchor amidst the flotsam and jetsam of broken ideals and promises.
Hertz (Dick Terhune) and son Franz (Coulby Jenkins) as the greedy German businessmen are planning to “cleanse” the Strip of its legendary immorality. As the requisite villains they add the frisson to the threats to raze this sanctuary for has-beens and wannabe’s. Regina (Tatiana Cordoba), the mayor’s feisty assistant, is determined to foil their crusade and leads protest marches after leaving her position. All these plot lines and others are resolved happily (of course.)
There are entertaining theatrical moments throughout the production. The zany Lonny breaks the “fourth wall” by speaking directly to and interacting with various members of the audience with lots of knowing winks and innuendos adding to the somewhat subversive essence of the show. Several scenes and dance numbers take place in the aisles which adds to the intensity of the show’s appeal. Performances by La Donna Burns (Every Rose Has its Thorns) and Dick Terhune (Keep on Loving you) add surprisingly tender interludes that counters the darker side of human behavior.
Tatianna Cordoba and Couby Jenkins share an out-of-character duet in “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”, one of the funnier moments of the night. And Danny Drewes as the studly Stacee Jaxx, former lead singer of the band Arsenal, druggie and self- centered toad, rocks the house with Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive.”
But the power of this production is the staging by Hunter Foster and the dazzling choreography of Shannon Lewis. Foster extends the production into all areas of the stage and the house. In front of an onstage band, the cast, from the leads to the secondaries to the ensemble, exudes an irresistible zest and magnetic talents. There is always something dynamic happening even during the most tender scenes. Despite the exuberant staging, the focus is on the storylines and the characters of the moment. The company works flawlessly together. The acting, along with the musical elements, is first-rate. Everyone sings and dances! Each performer’s voice sells the music to the other characters as well as the audience which augments their narrative. Under the musical direction of Eric Thomas Johnson they deliver powerful musical performances accompanied by a band that performs yeoman service in support of the vocalists.
Ms. Lewis has choreographed the dancing to be joyful, bubbly and highly energetic. Every cast member is involved in various numbers and, again, the entire stage and aisles are used. The female members of the ensemble – Landry Champlin, Annie Gagen and Julia Joy – employ their sinuous bodies in a burlesqued sensuality every time they’re onstage.
Supporting the character of the show, the sets by TJ Greenway are engagingly scruffy decorated with appropriate posters and ads to intensify the very atmospheric sensations of the time period. The Bourbon Room set is always evident while the addition of props and furniture pieces indicate various locations, i.e. offices or street corners. The cast swiftly executes the clever scene changes.
Many of Kathleen DeAngelis’s costumes are appropriately grungy as they describe the character and help to create a fitting atmosphere for each number and scene. Think fishnet stockings, big hair, sequins, animal prints and lots of leather among other fashion trangressions from the 80’s.
Graham Stone’s sound design supports the innate qualities of each song. The rock ‘n’ roll pieces blare out while the ballads are much softer. The lighting design by Jamie Roderick is blatantly effective. Banks of spotlights above the stage directed at the audience pulsate with the rhythms of the music.
Though there is a 2012 film version that starred Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Paul Giamatti, Mary J. Blige and a swarm of others, it has a rating of 42% on Rotten Tomatoes. That should tell you everything you need to know. Do not confuse the two and do not miss Sharon’s production of Rock of Ages. It is engaging and on opening night brought the audience to its feet with a rousing “Don’t Stop Believing.” Don’t resist the charismatic pull of this fun- loving juke box show. Go wave your light stick along with the throb of Sharon’s electric sendup.
Rock of Ages by Chris D’Arienzo; Director: Hunter Foster; Choreographer: Shannon Lewis; Music Direction: Eric Thomas Johnson; Cast: Jordan Friend (Lonny Barnett) Kilty Reidy (Dennis Dupree) LaDonna Burns (Justice Charlier/Mother) Jordan Bollwerk (Drew) Giuliana Augello (Sherrie) Danny Drewes (Father/Stacee Jaxx) Dick Terhune (Hertz Klineman) Coulby Jenkins (Franz Klineman) Xavier McKnight (Ja’Keith Gill/Ensemble) Annie Gagen (Constance Sack/Ensemble) Noah Silverman (Joey Primo/Enemble) Landry Chamnplin (Waitress/Ensemble) Julia Joy (Woman/Ensemble); Production Stage Manager: Kristine Schlachter; Assistant Stage manger: Kelly Ann Hatfield; Scenic Designer: TJ Greenway;
Costume Designer: Kathleen DeAngelis; Lighting Designer: Jamie Roderick; Sound Designer: Graham Stone; Wig and makeup designer: Kurt Alger; Technical Director Meredith Yoho; Production Mananer Sadie Whitlow. Running time: 2 hours, 20 Minutes, one intermission; June 21 – July 7, 2024; for information go to their website at www.sharonplayhouse.org
