THE TURBULENT 80’S EXPLODE IN “ROCK OF AGES”

CAST OF "ROCK OF AGES"  PHOTO BY MANDI MARTINI

Sex, drugs and rock 'n roll combined with awesome echoes of the 1980’s and you have a hint of the power packed musical explosion that is “Rock of Ages.” Hold on to your argyle socks as the Warner Theatre salutes this unique era of time in a flamboyant megawatt rendition of big band sounds featuring solo guitar antics that pulse with good vibrations.

Let the music of Journey, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benetar, Styx, Bon Jovi, Twisted Sister, Night Ranger and more rock you to the rafters.  On Saturday, February 6 and 13 at 8 p.m., Sunday, February 7 and 14 at 2 p.m. and Friday, February 12 at 8 p.m., this emotional story will have you levitating with joy.

Think of a jukebox stuffed with classic rock tunes that reaches its peak and becomes an exploding volcano of hits, as the decade’s greatest hot metal bands send out oceans of fiery offerings.  Marry that music to a powerful story of a rocker wannabe Drew Boley (Noel Roberge) who is biding his time as a busboy while waiting for his big break.  Set at a Hollywood nightclub called The Bourbon Room, owned by the show’s narrator Lonny Barnett (Michael King) and his partner Dennis Dupree (Kevin Sturmer), two German real estate developers (Dick Terhune and Anthony Amourando) are set on tearing it down as part of a clean up the city campaign.

Meanwhile a sweet young thing from Kansas named Sherrie (Katie Brunetto) walks in to the club and Drew, instantly smitten, convinces Dennis to hire her as a waitress.  The action escalates as Dennis books a band Arsenal starring Stacee Jaxx (Tony Leone) to headline what might be The Bourbon Room’s finale, Sheree momentarily loses her dream of becoming an actress to take a new job as a stripper and Drew gets a chance to shine on stage and earn a recording contract.

songs that surround a book by Chris D’Arienzo boom skyward, like “Just Like Paradise/Nothing But a Good Time,” “Sister Christian,” “We Built This City,” “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” “I Wanna Rock,” “Wanted Dead or Alive” and “Any Way You Want It/ I Wanna Rock.”  A triumphant “Don’t Stop Believin’ ’”reconciles all the disparate pieces of the puzzle as dreams are exchanged for new ones and the Sunset Strip lives to celebrate another day."Rock of Ages" is directed and choreographed by Sharon A. Wilcox with Dan Ringuette as musical director.

For tickets ($29), call the Warner Theatre, 68 Main Street, Torrington at 860-489-7180 or online at www.warnertheatre.org. This musical is suited for more mature teens and adults.

Can the fairy tale hopes survive when real estate moguls from Germany threaten Sunset Strip in general and the new romance of Drew and Sherrie in particular?  Come discover for yourself.