’80s rock musical electrifies Palace Theatre
The über popularity of “Glee” and their remakes of pop tracks from yesteryear already has the charts buzzing with ‘80s rock tunes. But “Rock of Ages” (on view at The Palace Theatre through Dec. 12) takes it a step further presenting a flashy inside look at, not only the music, but the clothes, the hair, the sex, the drugs and the collective irreverence that permeated the times.
A rock concert posing as a musical (strobe lights and fog included), the two-act, three hour show features the clichéd story of two dreamers on the complicated road to love, set at a dying rock ‘n’ roll club called The Bourbon Room on the verge of being shut down by the man (or more specifically a money-grubbing German developer.)
The buzz: “Rock of Ages” opened on Broadway late in the season last year, just in time for five Tony nominations, including a Best Actor nod for the show’s star “American Idol” finalist Constantine Maroulis.
The verdict: Chris D’Arienzo’s tries to pack too many of the era’s themes into his book (gentrification, Reganomics, the rise and fall of classic rock), but packs the show with an entertaining array of ‘80s classic rock tracks by Journey, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Foreigner, Pat Benatar and Whitesnake. The musical is narrated by the oversexed Lonny (Patrick Lewallen), a mere rock ‘n’ roll version of the Master of Ceremonies from “Cabaret,” who comically leads the audience through the tale. Maroulis and Rebecca Faulkenberry have amazing chemistry as the leading couple, with Maroulis showing striking range as the shy-rocker-that-could. Several times his beautiful wail filled the packed theater to hearty applause.
The bottom line: Though presented as the anti-musical (Lewallen pulls out “Musicals for Dummies” while trying to explain the act-two finale), exchanging an orchestra for an eight piece rock band, the show’s fabric is reminiscent of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” “Mamma Mia,” “Rent,” and even “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Though not a perfect script, it is a perfect showcase of the music that made rock the classic institution it is today.
“Rock of Ages” runs Dec. 7-12 at the Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad Street, Columbus. Tickets are $22.50 to $77.50, call 800-745-3000 or visit Ticketmaster.com.
~from Metromix.com
