ROCK of Ages: A Nostalgic, Comical Trip back to the 80s
Here's the thing: I honestly did not think I would enjoy an entire stage musical of 80s hair band songs. I mean, seriously, how good could this possibly be?
But oh, how wrong I was!
Today, despite the ice cold, post snow-day weather, Joe and I headed into Manhattan for what was one of his early Christmas gifts from yours truly. If you know Joe, you know that he isn't one to get excited about plays or musicals. Rock concerts and wrestling events, yes, but theater? Never! That's my caveman!!
However, since he first read about the upcoming musical, "Rock of Ages," his interest in seeing it grew. So, as a gift, I got two tickets to this new Off Broadway musical about a bar in the late 1980s on the Sunset Strip in California. The 'plot' brings the snickers and giggles even now.
I will admit that I grumbled at having to trek into the City on a day when I didn't have to, so I could do something I didn't want to do. I complained that, unlike our yearly summer trips to see washed out, has-been 80s hairband concerts, at the theater, I couldn't just bring a book and a blanket to read or catch a few winks. I nagged Joe about the cold, the trip, the time - I nagged. Hey, I went with my strengths!!
Yet, as soon as we arrived at this theater, tucked away on West 50th street down by 9th Avenue, I started to rethink my opinions. After all, the better chunk of my adolescence occurred during the much revered and beloved musical 80s. Call it cornball, or cheesy, or whatever other adjective you choose, the 1980s had a whole mess of really good music.
One of the draws of this particular musical, if you're a fan of American Idol, was that one of the popular show's 4th season finalists, Constantine Maroulis, plays the lead. If you're not a fan of Idol, then the draw was the music - a true cornucopia of 80s rock, hand picked for the lyrics that formed a seamlessly edited and perfectly flowing love story in the midst of the rock life debauchery of the decade.
Part of the charm of this musical is that it pokes fun at the very era it is staging and in the very format (musical theater) in which it is represented. Every now and again, they'll jump outside the realm of their own staged existence to joke about the time, the place and even the play itself, catching the audience so off guard, you can't help but bend at the waist with laughter.
To help the story move along, an incredibly likable, oddball narrator - who is also a prominent player in the storyline - tells the tales. The actor, Mitchell Jarvis (as Lonny), keeps the laughs coming. He, along with his cast mates, are so energetic and realistic while playing the over dressed, overdone, over painted, over drinking and over rocked and rousing bunch, you can't help but love it. And soon enough, you'll realize that as the story unfolds, soaked in the tunes of REO Speedwagon, Journey, Warrant, Twisted Sister, Pat Benetar, Joan Jett, Poison, Quiet Riot and the like, you find you begin to stomp your feet, sing the songs and laugh so hard you start to cry.
Along with musicians who, unlike other staged musicals, remain on the stage for the duration of the play, you are treated to perfectly choreographed numbers that recreate the sexual debauchery and decadence of the times, without resorting to outright vulgarity. With some simpleminded, throw-away toilet humor, some perfectly placed sentimental romanticism, and incredibly authentic costume and make-up recreations, "Rock of Ages" manages to do what few musicals can - play to all sides of the human psyche to entertain its human audience.
What I am saying is that this show did not disappoint. Its music was weaved within the story so well that it was hard to believe it was the music of a decade by all different bands, instead of music written specifically for one free flowing play.
Its love story was cheesy, but only because it had to be in order to be believable in this setting.
Its players were true representations of all of the things that went right and wrong with love and music at the time. Finally, its message is simple: Your dreams, when you're young, are not necessarily the path your life will ultimately take, but sometimes that isn't all bad. You may end up with something you never thought you wanted and be happy nonetheless.
The cast closed their spectacular production in the same manner in which they opened it - with fun, fantastic and seemingly endless energy. Not surprisingly, they got a standing ovation from the thoroughly entertained audience, some of whom, like us, were transported back to a time when it was okay to be excessive and not be made to feel guilty about it. Some of us returned - if briefly - to our crazy, complicated, and sometimes even cathartic adolescence. Some brought their kids to try, via musical theater, to show their kids that they were once young and fun (if slightly insane), too.
Afterward, we had a chance to meet Constantine Maroulis. He, along with the rest of the cast, simply dressed in their street clothes and began to leave the theater through the same exits as everyone else. Constantine lingered. He was charming and generous with his time. He was genuinely grateful to his fans. He signed autographs and took pictures for as long as people stood there waiting. He thanked people for "showing up" for the show. He was the perfect string to tie up an already awesome afternoon.
So, if it isn't clear by now, let me be blunt: "If you can, go see this show! But wait, because it is so good, it's already moving to the Great White Way because Off Broadway wasn't big enough for the big hair, big music, and big personality of "Rock of Ages."
But oh, how wrong I was!
Today, despite the ice cold, post snow-day weather, Joe and I headed into Manhattan for what was one of his early Christmas gifts from yours truly. If you know Joe, you know that he isn't one to get excited about plays or musicals. Rock concerts and wrestling events, yes, but theater? Never! That's my caveman!!
However, since he first read about the upcoming musical, "Rock of Ages," his interest in seeing it grew. So, as a gift, I got two tickets to this new Off Broadway musical about a bar in the late 1980s on the Sunset Strip in California. The 'plot' brings the snickers and giggles even now.
I will admit that I grumbled at having to trek into the City on a day when I didn't have to, so I could do something I didn't want to do. I complained that, unlike our yearly summer trips to see washed out, has-been 80s hairband concerts, at the theater, I couldn't just bring a book and a blanket to read or catch a few winks. I nagged Joe about the cold, the trip, the time - I nagged. Hey, I went with my strengths!!
Yet, as soon as we arrived at this theater, tucked away on West 50th street down by 9th Avenue, I started to rethink my opinions. After all, the better chunk of my adolescence occurred during the much revered and beloved musical 80s. Call it cornball, or cheesy, or whatever other adjective you choose, the 1980s had a whole mess of really good music.
One of the draws of this particular musical, if you're a fan of American Idol, was that one of the popular show's 4th season finalists, Constantine Maroulis, plays the lead. If you're not a fan of Idol, then the draw was the music - a true cornucopia of 80s rock, hand picked for the lyrics that formed a seamlessly edited and perfectly flowing love story in the midst of the rock life debauchery of the decade.
Part of the charm of this musical is that it pokes fun at the very era it is staging and in the very format (musical theater) in which it is represented. Every now and again, they'll jump outside the realm of their own staged existence to joke about the time, the place and even the play itself, catching the audience so off guard, you can't help but bend at the waist with laughter.
To help the story move along, an incredibly likable, oddball narrator - who is also a prominent player in the storyline - tells the tales. The actor, Mitchell Jarvis (as Lonny), keeps the laughs coming. He, along with his cast mates, are so energetic and realistic while playing the over dressed, overdone, over painted, over drinking and over rocked and rousing bunch, you can't help but love it. And soon enough, you'll realize that as the story unfolds, soaked in the tunes of REO Speedwagon, Journey, Warrant, Twisted Sister, Pat Benetar, Joan Jett, Poison, Quiet Riot and the like, you find you begin to stomp your feet, sing the songs and laugh so hard you start to cry.
Along with musicians who, unlike other staged musicals, remain on the stage for the duration of the play, you are treated to perfectly choreographed numbers that recreate the sexual debauchery and decadence of the times, without resorting to outright vulgarity. With some simpleminded, throw-away toilet humor, some perfectly placed sentimental romanticism, and incredibly authentic costume and make-up recreations, "Rock of Ages" manages to do what few musicals can - play to all sides of the human psyche to entertain its human audience.
What I am saying is that this show did not disappoint. Its music was weaved within the story so well that it was hard to believe it was the music of a decade by all different bands, instead of music written specifically for one free flowing play.
Its love story was cheesy, but only because it had to be in order to be believable in this setting.
Its players were true representations of all of the things that went right and wrong with love and music at the time. Finally, its message is simple: Your dreams, when you're young, are not necessarily the path your life will ultimately take, but sometimes that isn't all bad. You may end up with something you never thought you wanted and be happy nonetheless.The cast closed their spectacular production in the same manner in which they opened it - with fun, fantastic and seemingly endless energy. Not surprisingly, they got a standing ovation from the thoroughly entertained audience, some of whom, like us, were transported back to a time when it was okay to be excessive and not be made to feel guilty about it. Some of us returned - if briefly - to our crazy, complicated, and sometimes even cathartic adolescence. Some brought their kids to try, via musical theater, to show their kids that they were once young and fun (if slightly insane), too.
Afterward, we had a chance to meet Constantine Maroulis. He, along with the rest of the cast, simply dressed in their street clothes and began to leave the theater through the same exits as everyone else. Constantine lingered. He was charming and generous with his time. He was genuinely grateful to his fans. He signed autographs and took pictures for as long as people stood there waiting. He thanked people for "showing up" for the show. He was the perfect string to tie up an already awesome afternoon.
So, if it isn't clear by now, let me be blunt: "If you can, go see this show! But wait, because it is so good, it's already moving to the Great White Way because Off Broadway wasn't big enough for the big hair, big music, and big personality of "Rock of Ages."
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