rock of ages
#FIRSTLOOK: “ROCK OF AGES” RETURNS TO TORONTO AT ELGIN THEATRE
By George Kozera
The Broadway smash ROCK OF AGES returns to Toronto, freshly-reimagined, and bristling with electricity and humour. Essentially, it’s about a small town girl, a city boy and can one #nd love on the Sunset Strip. A jukebox musical built around classic rock songs from the 1980s (Journey, Pat Benatar, Bon Jovi, Styx, Steve Perry to name just a few) with a large emphasis on the power ballads that dominated the FM radio stations.
This hyper-kinetic production dazzles with exceptional Choreography, but also succeeds due to the efforts of a genuinely-talented Cast. Whereas there are too many to list individually, Toronto native Dave Comeau, as Lonny, had the audience eating from his hands whenever he broke the “fourth wall”. As the “will they/won’t they” couple, Trevor Coll (Drew) and AJ Bridel (Sherrie) have wonderful chemistry together and their vocal chops are formidable. The stage is awash with spotlights and laser beams. What surprised me most was just how damned funny ROCK OF AGES is, with one John Tory joke that almost lifted the roof of the Elgin Theatre. There were no targets left unscathed, be it the movie version of the Musical which starred Tom Cruise or the sexual fluidity of many of the characters. Whereas this Show may not appeal to those who have never heard of Twisted Sister, this audience member was entertained to the max!
Some snaps from the Carpet attended by the likes of The Trews, Monster Truck, Humberly Gonzalez, Sean Jones, Cory Lee, Ishan Morris and more.
ROCK OF AGES plays at the Elgin Theatre until May 20, 2023.
(Photo credit: George Kozera)
#FIRSTLOOK: “ROCK OF AGES” TO PLAY AT ELGIN THEATRE IN TORONTO
Rock of Ages, one of Broadway’s longest running hit musicals, will explode onto the Toronto theatre scene at the Elgin Theatre from February 23 to May 20, 2023. A gnarly concoction of power rock and hilarious comedy, this reimagined version of the iconic ‘80s-inspired production promises top tier talent and a night that won’t be forgotten. Tickets are available here.
Featuring earworm 80’s chartbuster music from iconic artists such as Quiet Riot, Poison, Whitesnake, Pat Benatar, Styx, Starship, Twisted Sister, Joan Jett, REO Speedwagon, Survivor, Foreigner and Guns N’ Roses, this blast of power-guitar heaven will both warm your soul and rock your world!
Following the show’s three-month run in Toronto, Rock of Ages will embark on an international tour, bringing 80’s hits to thousands of audience members across the world.
“More Entertainment is very proud and honoured to have collated a top-flight award-winning team of producers, performers, musicians, designers and marketers from around the globe to bring Rock of Ages to Toronto,” says Dr. JP Gedeon, CEO and Executive Producer of More Entertainment. “The 80’s were a time of innocence, freedom, youth and joy, and the nostalgia of those days brings to you a new, fresh, and totally re-envisioned Rock of Ages!”
A rockstar line-up of superior performers make up the production’s cast, including Trevor Coll (We Will Rock You North American Tour), AJ Bridel (Peter Pan, Drayton Ent; Anne of Green Gables, Charlottetown Festival; Kinky Boots, Mirvish), Kae Kae Lee (Zombies 3, Disney; What We Do In The Shadows, Fox), Louise Camilleri (ShowBoat, Gershwin Theatre; (Mamma Mia, Mirvish; Lord of The Rings, Mirvish) and Steffi DiDomenicantonio (Come From Away, Mirvish; Spring Awakening, Mirvish; Canadian Idol) .
Rock of Ages was casted by Larissa Mair Casting and Associates, an agency committed to discovering “new faces” and responsible for launching the careers of an abundance of talented performers.
In addition to the talented cast, Rock of Ages boasts a world-class team behind the show including Musical Director Mark Camilleri, who has worked on theatre productions that include Bend It Like Beckham and Funny Girl, and has provided piano accompaniment for the likes of Celine Dion and David Foster. Also on board is MTV video award-winning Choreographer Sean Cheesman (“Cream” by Prince, “Scream” by Michael Jackson & Janet Jackson), General Manager Ray Chandler (Jesus Christ Superstar National Tour, Beauty and the Beast National Production), award-winning Head of Design Nick Blais (Vespers, The Royal Winnipeg Ballet; Jerusalem, Outside The March), Head of Multimedia Design Simon Clemo (Life of Earth, Director X; Dream Girls, MTC), Company Manager Sabrina Kells (2010 Vancouver Olympic Games, Stars On Ice), Director of Technical Operations Gary Wilson and Head of Marketing and Communications Laura van Leest (CEO, Bellefair Entertainment; former Director of Marketing, Universal Music Canada).
Stay tuned for additional casting announcements and for more information, please visit http://rockofagestoronto.ca.
#SPOTTED: CONSTANTINE MAROULIS & DEBORAH COX IN TORONTO FOR “JEKYLL AND HYDE”
Here for only a five-day engagement in Toronto at the Ed Mirvish Theatre, Jekyll and Hyde comes to the City after a successful four-year Broadway Run, before continuing on its North American Tour in Washington, D.C. The Musical stars American Idol Finalist Constantine Maroulis who since has made a splash on the Great White Way in Rock of Ages and here he plays the Role of Dr. Henry Jekyll and his Alter-ego Edward Hyde. Toronto’s v. own R&B Star Deborah Cox (now a Resident of Miami) also is featured front and center as Lucy. Jekyll and Hyde is an odd story of a Scientist who uses himself as an Experiment in his quest to find a cure to some of Mankind’s greatest medical problems. This however, unleashes his inner-demons, creating far greater a Dilemma than he could have anticipated.
Following their Performance tonight, Maroulis was spotted bundled in a cozy Burberry Sweater, spending time with his Fans and going directly first to one Woman who waited by the Stage Door in her Wheelchair. Humble, he assumed Fans were waiting for his Co-Star Cox, telling everyone that she would be out in a moment, not thinking for a moment that the commotion might have been for him. He tells me and another Fan that he wishes that he could have more time in the City and maybe even a chance to do a Preview Show or two before launching it in each City, but as is the case with a Tour, the tempo is quick. He is pleased with the great feedback he has been receiving for his dual-role Performance, especially as the darker Hyde.
Cox exited soon after, donning much more simple straightened locks than the voluminous wigs she is required to wear in her Role. She spent a fair amount of time shaking hands and posing for Photos and was more than happy to sign one of my favourite R&B Discs, One Wish. The GRAMMY-nominated Singer/Actress states to me that she is hoping v. much to begin work on a full-length Disc, but for now Fans will have to do with a Powerhouse Dance Single she just released last week, (From the Ghetto) Remember Me.
There’s still time to catch Jekyll and Hyde. Click here for Tickets.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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