Monday, March 17, 2014

"ROCK OF AGES" IS CRAZY AND WILD FUN




Leave your inhibitions, reservations, hearing aids, walkers and canes at the door.  Pop a few super vitamins and prepare to be electrified.   The rock and roll party is set to explode on the stage of Waterbury's Palace Theater on Friday, March 21 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, March 22 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. when "Rock of Ages" arrives in colorful splendor.

Don't for a moment confuse this show with Rock of Ages, the popular Christian hymn composed in 1763 by Reverend Augustus Toplody.  The good reverend was inspired to write his song when he was traveling in his native England one day and was caught in a horrendous storm.  Seeking shelter in a gap in a gorge near where he was walking, the first words of the tune came to him...:"Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee."  He is said to have scribbled these words on a playing card, giving thanks for the sheltered protection the rock provided.

This totally different "Rock of Ages" is set in Los Angeles' Sunset Strip, in the year of our Lord 1987, and is called "the best party ever!"  Two kids, a guy from South Detroit and one a small-town gal, meet in L.A. and find they share the same dream:  to make it big in the world of music and movies.

This is Drew and Sherrie's story.  Think rock concert meets youth gone wild meets bad boy behavior.  No rules need apply here.  Fun, comedy, 80's tunes and outrageous pleasures are guaranteed as you don your acid-washed jeans and spray your bouffant hair to the last degree of solid.

Maybe you got a little taste of the show when it prepared a number for the Super Bowl recently.  Nominated for 5 Tony Awards, it features a rock band that takes part in the company as well as makes music.  It pops and bangs out hits from Journey, Styx, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Asia, Night Ranger and Reo Speedwagon, tunes that will make you levitate from your seat and make you want to party on and on and on.

Classic rock tunes like "Don't Stop Believin,' " "We Built the City," "Here I Go Again," "Can't Fight This Feeling" and "I Wanna Know What Love Is" will resound to the rafters of the Palace.  In this touring company, Dominique Scott will star as Drew and Shannon Mullen as Sherrie, two newcomers to town who meet and make musical magic.

For tickets ($50-60-70), call the Palace, 100 East Main Street, Waterbury at 203-346-2000 or online at www.palacetheaterct.org.
The show's book is  by Chris D'Arienzo, directed by Kristin Hanggi and choreography by Kelly Devire, with original musical arrangements by David Gibbs.

Show up at this feel-good party ready to rock and roll with your big hair sprayed and journey back to the 1980's for Fun, Fun, Fun.

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