Rock of Ages

ROCK OF AGES, nominated for five Tony Awards, is director Kristin Hanggi’s Broadway debut musical that features reprised songs from famous 1980s glam metal bands to frame the musical’s rock n’ roll culture—and all of the troubles that come with it…

Rock of Ages takes you back to the times when big bands with big egos play big guitar solos and sport even bigger hair. The musical score, under the supervision of Ethan Popp and David Gibbs, compiles 30 of the era’s best songs, including Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing,” Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” and Europe’s “The Final Countdown.”

Set in LA’s infamous Sunset Strip in 1987, Rock of Ages tells the story of Drew, a boy from South Detroit, and small-town girl, Sherrie, both in Los Angeles to chase their dreams of one day rocking the stage like their idol, and music legend, Stacee Jaxx. Their dreams of performing in the big leagues are challenged by Hertz and Franz, who want to demolish the scandalous culture of the alcohol-drinking and drug-using rockers. Drew and Sherrie fight against the enemy’s proposition, but they eventually begin to question whether fame and fortune actually lead to happiness.

The musical, written by Chris D’Arienzo, debuted in Los Angeles in the summer of 2005 and opened in the Brooks Atkinson Theatre in New York City in April 2009. A 2012 movie adaptation stars Julianne Hough, Tom Cruise, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Alec Baldwin, rocking theaters across the country, power chords and all.

“Everyone had this music in the background somewhere, at their high school dance or as a soundtrack to their first kiss, and you kind of forget that until you hear it, and then you go, ‘Oh my goodness, I remember that moment of my life,’” Hanggi says. “You don’t even realize how much you know these songs.”

The production is a like a music video brought to life, complete with electrifying dancers and blazing guitar licks. The energetic young cast knows how to make audience members feel part of the musical, and whether or not you admit to loving 80s hair-metal, there is a very good chance you’ll catch yourself singing along!

The Los Angeles Times described the musical as “a snarkily hip yet heartfelt take on our onetime hair-metal scene.” Cheer on the vibrant characters as they face challenges and chase dreams, and lift us all up as we aspire to “hold on to that feeling.”