The 80s rock on

Countless dreamers move to the big city every year with hopes of making it in Hollywood. Chris D’Arienzo, a small town boy (from small-town Michigan) moved to Los Angeles with rock and roll dreams. In 2005, he finished writing the book that would become Rock of Ages, the show that is running at Marcus Center Uihlein Hall through Nov. 18.

Rock of Ages, written by D’Arienzo and directed by Kristin Hanggi, premiered in L.A. in 2005. This tribute to the 80s hair metal scene focuses on a group of dreamers on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. It has run on Broadway since 2009, attracted five Tony Award nominations and is touring nationally.

Rock of Ages, choreographed by Kelly Devine with music supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations done brilliantly by Ethan Popp and David Gibbs,  is a jukebox musical that highlights the best and most memorable tunes from the 80s. The show’s band plays a crucial role and is on stage almost the entire time. These songs help tell the story of Drew and Sherrie, their adventures in the big city and of course, their love story. It wouldn’t be a musical without a love story.

Sunset Strip, in the 80s, was a beacon of rock and roll and excess. “Just Like Living in Paradise” (Van Halen) introduces a cast clad in vibrant and sexy outfits from leather to acid wash to fish nets. Drew, a young busboy at The Bourbon Room, dreams of becoming a rock star under the stage name Wolfgang Von Colt. During the ensemble’s performance of “Sister Christian” (Night Ranger) we meet Sherrie, a small town girl who took the midnight train to LA with hopes of becoming an actress. The two meet by chance on The Strip, and sparks fly between Sherrie and Drew.

Hertz and Franz, a father-son business team from Germany, meet with the Mayor and propose a way to clean up LA from the sex, drugs, and rock and roll through economic redevelopment. The Bourbon Room would be torn down to make way for new building. This development would destroy the dreams of the club’s denizens. To the tune of “We Built This City” (Jefferson Starship), a showdown between The Bourbon Room and city officials begins. It runs through “We’re Not Gonna Take It” (Twisted Sister).

Dennis and Lonny, owner and sound tech of the Bourbon Room, decide to have one last big rock show. They book Stacee Jaxx, an out of control rock god, to perform his last concert with his band Arsenel before he goes solo. After this crazy night, Drew quits the bar and Sherrie is fired. Just when you think they are on the path towards love. “Here I Go” (Whitesnake) helps to recap everyone’s current state, virtually all characters having to start over once again.

The second half takes all of our characters in opposite directions. The wannabe rock star Drew meets some sleazy record label executives and they and try to turn him into a singer in a boy band. Sherrie, not finding work as an actress, finds herself working as a stripper at the Venus Club. The protests continue as Dennis, Lonny and Regina try to save the club and the Sunset Strip from redevelopment. Stacee Jaxx falls from grace and winds up in jail. Of course things turn around in the end, and Drew and Sherrie have their happy ending.

“Don’t Stop Believin’” (Journey), the final ensemble number, shows us where our characters began and where they are now. It also sends the audience home with a little food for thought.

Rock of Ages is a lighthearted show and quite funny. It embraces its cheesiness, which makes it even funnier. It’s the story of getting what you want in life and making your own destiny. As the Narrator says “Sometimes the dreams you came with aren’t what you leave with.” The Narrator, Lonny, breaks the fourth wall and directly reminds the audience that they are watching a musical. It works well in this production that feels like a rock show; the lead singer is already directly addressing the audience. There is a lot of rock-concert interaction – clapping, singing along and even the occasional lighter in the air. And yes, someone did yell “Freebird!”

Rock of Ages runs now through Sunday, Nov. 18, and performances are Wednesday-Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm and 8pm, and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Marcus Center website.