Rock of Ages Musical Comes to Omaha
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The Tony Award-nominated musical ROCK OF AGES is coming to Omaha’s Orpheum Theater March 8-10.
Introduction
Rock of Ages is a Broadway musical with music by multiple Grammy-nominated composer/producer and Tony Award winner DAVE CLARK, lyrics by Clark and Tony Award nominee CHRIS D’ARIENZO and a book by D’Arienzo. The musical is based on the 2009 film of the same name.
The show tells the story of a small-town girl who falls in love with a big-city rocker, set against the backdrop of the 1980s Hollywood Sunset Strip.
The musical features classic ’80s rock hits, including “We Built This City,” “The Final Countdown,” “Here I Go Again,” “Don’t Stop Believin” and many more.
Rock of Ages will be staged at Omaha’s Orpheum Theater from August 8-13, 2017.
History of the Musical
Rock of Ages is a musical with music by multiple Grammy-nominated recording artist Desmond Child, a book by Chris D’Arienzo, and arrangements and orchestrations by Ethan Popp. The musical is built around classic rock songs from the 1980s, particularly from the famous glam metal bands of that decade. The musical features hits from bands such as Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Poison, Twisted Sister, and Europe.
The plot of the musical is set in 1987 on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood, California. The story follows aspiring rock star Drew Boley as he falls in love with Sherrie Christian, a small-town girl who has just arrived in Hollywood with big dreams of making it big in the music business. As their love blossoms amidst the MTV era of big hair and big dreams, they must fight to keep their relationship alive in the face of opposition from Sherrie’s atomically jealous boyfriend and an uncontrolled riot that threatens to tear their world apart.
Rock of Ages made its world premiere on Broadway at the New World Stages on October 16th 2008. The original production was nominated for five Tony Awards including Best Musical. It played 2137 regular performances and 28 previews before closing on January 9th 2011. In 2012, Rock of Ages was adapted into a feature film starring Tom Cruise and Julianne Hough.
The Plot of the Musical
The musical is set on the eve of the Stonemasons’ final day at work on a cathedral being built in the 1700s. quarry worker foreman, Obadiah Stone, is asked by the local priest to sculpt a statue of Madonna for the cathedral. As Obadiah begins work on the statue, his wife dies in childbirth and he loses interest in life.
Meanwhile, his daughter, Julia, befriends Alexander Hamilton, an English stonecarver who has come to work on the cathedral. Alexander encourages Obadiah to finish the Madonna statue and also falls in love with Julia. However, when Alexander is seriously injured in a quarry accident, he is forced to return to England.
Julia decides to follow him and Obadiah finishes the Madonna statue alone. The musical ends with Obadiah looking at the newly completed cathedral and reflecting on his life.
The Music of the Musical
The musical, “Rock of Ages” is nothing short of a spectacular production. The energy and talent on stage is palpable, and the music will have you on your feet, screaming for more. The show features classic hits from the 1980’s rock scene, including songs from Journey, Bon Jovi, Foreigner, Styx, and more.
The Characters of the Musical
Rock of Ages is a musical with a book by Chris D’Arienzo, built around classic rock songs from the 1980s. The musical features characters that are representative of the 80s rock scene.
The main character, Drew, is a small-town boy who falls for Sherrie, a city girl. They both end up working at the Sunset Strip’s famous nightclub, the Bourbon Room.
Other characters in the musical include Dennis Dupree, the former owner of the Bourbon Room; Lonny Barnett, Dennis’ assistant; Stacee Jaxx, a rock star who is performing at the Bourbon Room; and Justice Charlier, Sherrie’s conservative Christian mother.
The songs featured in Rock of Ages include “Sister Christian” by Night Ranger, “We’re Not Gonna Take It” by Twisted Sister, “I Wanna Rock” by Twister Sister, “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” by Pat Benatar, “Cum On Feel The Noize” by Quiet Riot, and “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey.
The Setting of the Musical
Rock of Ages is set in 1987 on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood, Los Angeles. The story follows a small town girl named Sherrie Christian who arrives in Hollywood with dreams of becoming a movie star. She meets a boy named Drew Boley, who works at the famed nightclub, the Bourbon Room. They fall in love and try to save the club from being shut down by developers who want to build a new mall in its place. Along the way, they must contend with the temptations of rock and roll life and the politics of love.
The Costumes of the Musical
Set in 1987 on the Sunset Strip, Rock of Ages tells the story of Drew, a boy from South Detroit, and Sherrie, a small-town girl, both in LA to chase their dreams of stardom. They meet at The Bourbon Room, a famous Hollywood nightclub, and fall in love to the greatest songs of the ‘80s.
The costumes in the musical are inspired by the fashions of the 1980s, with lots of tight clothing and big hair. The men wear tight jeans, muscle shirts, and spandex, while the women wear short skirts and crop tops. There are also a few costumes that are more specific to the characters, such as Drew’s prison jumpsuit and Sherrie’s waitress outfit.
The Reception of the Musical
Rock of Ages is a musical with a book by Chris D’Arienzo, built around classic rock songs from the 1980s. The musical features songs from Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, and Europe, among other well-known bands.
The musical had its world premiere in Los Angeles in January 2006, and its Broadway debut in April 2009. It has since been produced in several other countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, Netherlands and the United Kingdom. In 2012, it was made into a movie starring Tom Cruise and Julianne Hough.
Critical reception of Rock of Ages has been mixed. Some reviewers have praised the show for its energetic staging and nostalgic appeal, while others have criticized it for its clichéd plot and lack of originality.
The Significance of the Musical
Rock of Ages is a Broadway musical that opened in 2009 and was subsequently made into a 2012 film. The story is set in the 1980s and follows two young people who meet and fall in love at a rock club on the Sunset Strip.
The musical features many popular songs from the 1980s, as well as some original songs. The show has been praised for its nostalgic look at the 1980s, as well as its positive message of love and acceptance.
The Omaha Community Playhouse will be presenting Rock of Ages from March 2-11, 2018. This will be the first time the musical has been performed in Omaha.
Conclusion
Rock of Ages is a musical with a book by Chris D’Arienzo, built around classic rock songs from the 1980s performed by Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, Foreigner, Poison and many more.
The musical tells the story of Drew, a city boy who falls in love with Sherrie, a country girl, who moves to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams of stardom. The two meet at the famous Sunset Strip rock club, The Bourbon Room. However, when The Bourbon Room is threatened by developers who want to turn the historic site into a shopping mall, it’s up to Drew and Sherrie to save the day and keep the music alive.
Filled with laughs and classic 80s hits, Rock of Ages is a must-see for any fan of musical theatre. The show will be in Omaha from May 7-12 at the Orpheum Theatre. Tickets start at $35 and can be purchased online at Ticket Omaha.
