Rock of Ages
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Unleashing "Rock of Ages" on the West End
"Rock of Ages" is a high-octane jukebox musical that electrified London’s West End, debuting at the Shaftesbury Theatre on August 31, 2011, with its official opening on September 27, before transferring to the Garrick Theatre on January 18, 2013, and rocking on until November 2, 2013. Written by Chris D’Arienzo, directed by Kristin Hanggi, and choreographed by Kelly Devine, it boasts a score of 1980s glam metal anthems from bands like Journey, Bon Jovi, and Whitesnake. Starring Justin Lee Collins as Dennis Dupree and Shayne Ward as Stacee Jaxx, this five-time Tony-nominated show ran for over 900 performances, blending raucous comedy with a love story set against the gritty glamour of the Sunset Strip.
A Sunset Strip Saga
Set in 1987 Los Angeles, "Rock of Ages" unfolds at the Bourbon Room, a legendary rock dive facing demolition by German developers Hertz and Franz Klinemann. Drew, a busboy with rock star dreams, falls for Sherrie, a small-town girl chasing fame, sparking a romance tested by the chaos around them. Enter Stacee Jaxx, a preening rock god whose final gig with Arsenal could save the venue if he doesn’t wreck it first. Narrator Lonny, breaking the fourth wall with cheeky asides, steers the tale as Drew and Sherrie navigate love, betrayal, and a boy band detour, culminating in a defiant stand to save their club and their bond.
A Rock ‘n’ Roll Creation
Chris D’Arienzo’s book delivers tongue-in-cheek humor, paired with a score arranged by Ethan Popp featuring hits like “Don’t Stop Believin’” and “Here I Go Again.” Kristin Hanggi’s direction infuses the show with a music-video vibe, while Kelly Devine’s choreography channels ’80s excess big hair, bigger moves. The West End cast shone with Oliver Tompsett as Drew, Amy Pemberton as Sherrie, and Simon Lipkin as Lonny, backed by a live band rocking metalhead garb. From its Off-Broadway roots in 2008 to Broadway in 2009, this production tailored its debauchery for London, amplifying the Sunset Strip’s wild spirit.
A West End Party
After a triumphant Broadway run, "Rock of Ages" hit the Shaftesbury Theatre with previews, officially opening to a buzz that carried it to the Garrick. Critics hailed its “kick-ass” fun The Daily Express dubbed it the “best rock and roll show in town” though some found its plot thin. Its 900-plus performances drew crowds for its singalong energy and air-guitar antics, including a Guinness World Record attempt at West End Live 2013. Post-closure, it launched a UK tour in 2014, cementing its status as a crowd-pleaser that never took itself too seriously.
Anthems That Ignite
The score is a love letter to ’80s rock: “The Final Countdown” blasts the stakes, “I Want to Know What Love Is” tugs at heartstrings, and “We Built This City” rallies the ensemble. “Can’t Fight This Feeling” underscores Drew and Sherrie’s romance, while “Renegade” sends Stacee off in disgrace. Performed live by a band embedded in David Rockwell’s gritty set complete with a caged drummer these tracks fuel a party vibe, encouraging audiences to join the revelry. The 2011 West End recording captures this raw, electric pulse, a testament to its karaoke-friendly appeal.
A Raucous Legacy
From its 2,328-performance Broadway tenure to a 2012 Tom Cruise-led film, "Rock of Ages" has roared worldwide, with Vegas residencies (2012-2017) and a 2019 Off-Broadway revival marking its 10th anniversary. Its West End chapter, though shorter, sparked UK tours in 2014, 2018-2019, and beyond, with a 2023 farewell tour sealing its cult status. Nominated for Best Costume Design at the 2012 Oliviers, it thrives on nostalgia and excess, a tribute to an era of big egos and bigger riffs that keeps rocking wherever it lands.
Why "Rock of Ages" Rocks
"Rock of Ages" thrives on its shameless celebration of ’80s excess leather, lycra, and liquor flow as freely as the laughs. Its West End run was a joyous rebellion, blending razor-sharp comedy with power ballads that demand a lighter in the air. For London audiences, it’s a guilt-free blast of escapism, a night where the Sunset Strip’s grit meets Theatreland’s glitz, proving that sometimes, all you need is a good riff and a great time to feel alive.