Rock of Ages - About the Show:
It’s the tail end of the big, bad 1980s in Hollywood, and the party has been raging hard. Aqua Net, Lycra, lace and liquor flow freely at one of the Sunset Strip’s last legendary venues, a place where sex machine Stacee Jaxx takes the stage and scantily clad groupies line up to turn their fantasies into reality. Amidst the madness, aspiring rock star (and resident toilet cleaner) Drew longs to take the stage as the next big thing (and longs for small-town girl Sherri, fresh off the bus from Kansas with stars in her eyes). But the rock ’n’ roll fairy tale is about to end when German developers sweep into town with plans to turn the fabled Strip into just another capitalist strip mall. Can Drew, Sherri and the gang save the strip – and themselves – before it’s too late? Only the music of hit bands Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake and more hold the answer.
Character Breakdown:
- DREW: An appealing, good-guy rocker with great, easy comedic timing, a boyish charm, vulnerability, and a very strong rock tenor voice. Drew works at the legendary Bourbon Room hoping and waiting for his dreams to come true. He finds an instant attraction to Sherrie, the beautiful new arrival from the Midwest, who encourages him to go after his dreams.
- SHERRIE: Pretty, fresh faced, innocent Midwestern girl stepping right off the bus into a new world to pursue her dreams of stardom. Strong comedic timing, strong rock belt, good movement ability. Should be comfortable in revealing/skimpy clothing.
- LONNY: The narrator of the piece, charming, mischievous, welcoming, vibrant personality, a guy who would be fun to spend one drunken night with. Strong, honest comedic timing and improv skills, and strong rock vocals.
- DENNIS DUPREE: Classic stoner type guy who runs the famous Bourbon Room club. Torn about whether he should sell the club to Hertz, a German businessman. Very strong comedic timing. A laid back, easy going dude. Bari-tenor rock vocals.
- STACEE JAXX: A sexy rock star. Decided to leave his successful hair/metal-rock band to try it solo. Self-important, confident intriguing in all the wrong ways, the ultimate bad boy; he is all about sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll. Great comedic timing and strong rock tenor voice.
- JUSTICE CHARLIER: Strong presence, an easy sensuality about her. Once a performer, she now operates a strip club where Sherrie winds up working. Takes on the maternal role for the girls that work for her. Strong, soulful vocals and belt needed.
- HERTZ KLINEMANN: An attractive older man. Uptight, cold, intimidating businessman trying to buy up the Strip to develop it. The bad guy of the piece. Strong comedic timing and baritone vocals.
- FRANZ KLINEMANN: Hertz’s son. Works for his father, but not by choice. Pressured and intimidated by his father. Shy, gentle with a big heart. Strong vocals and comedic timing.
- REGINA: A fun, hippie type, earthy girl who fights against the attempted takeover of The Strip. Strong comedic timing, belt vocals.
- MAYOR/JA'KEITH/JOEY PRIMO/FATHER/MOTHER: Will be played by members of the ensemble.
