Broadway Gets '80s Flashback With "Rock Of Ages"
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"Rock of Ages" is the latest jukebox musical to make its mark on the Great White Way. NY1's Roma Torre filed the following report.The cast and crew of "Rock of Ages" are certainly having a good time as they prep for their opening on Broadway. After a successful run off-Broadway at New World Stages, the 1980s jukebox musical, which is currently in previews at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, features the tunes of Journey, Bon Jovi, Par Benatar and others.
Set against the backdrop of the Sunset Strip in the late 1980s, the young Drew, played by Constantine Maroulis of "American Idol" fame, dreams of becoming a rock star.
"This is my first opportunity to create a role in New York and it's just been really exciting," says Maroulis. "We had a great run off-Broadway and we're hoping to build on that success and you know it's not an easy time to start a show and I hope people come out and try to support us."
No stranger to the 1980s, Amy Spanger, who was last seen onstage in "The Wedding Singer," plays Sherrie, Maroulis's love interest. Spanger joins the production for its Broadway debut.
"A girlfriend of mine actually said, 'If you just want to have a ball for a year, sing your butt off, hang out with the funniest people ever and listen to shredding guitar every night, then I think you should do it.' And then I read the script," says Spanger. "And the script is so funny and really sweet and genuine. I was hooked!"
The book is by Chris D'Arienzo and Kristin Hanggi serves as director.
"I think we got a chance, after watching it off-Broadway for so long, to look at it and say, where can we step in and really take it to the next level? Like, where could that number just step up a little bit.... We decided to make those places a little bit better," says Hanggi.
While "Rock of Ages" officially opens on Broadway on April 7, the big-haired musical is also set to appear on the big screen, compliments of New Line Cinema.