“Rock of Ages”

**** Go back in time. When you were younger did you enjoy ( or live for) the music of Styx, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, and others? If so, you will “return to those golden days of your  youth” just by visiting Arlington Heights, and their fabulous Metropolis Performing Arts Center’s production of “Rock of Ages”.Some of you may have attended this theater in the past, and others may have taken a pass, but I am here to advise you that they have a new leadership in place and it truly shows its teeth with this fabulous production of this wild story filled with music that will have you clapping along.

Directed by Derek Van Barham on a stunning  set ( stage revisions) by Johnathan Berg-Einhorn and amazing  choreography by Christopher Kelley, this musical fairy tale will hold you captive from start to finish. It is 2 hours and 25 minutes ( with a 15 minute intermission) of delightful, and yes, loud performance art with a cast that is highly energetic and for the most part onstage for most of the production.

With a book by Chris D’Arienzo and about 38 songs ( or parts of them) with arrangements and orchestrations by Ethan Papp, “Rock of Ages” tells us the story of people in the music industry in Los Angeles. There is a bar called The Bourbon Room where all the top “Rock” performers have worked. Young talent go to LA just for the chance that they will get a job there and be discovered. This is “the place”. The proprietor Dennis Dupree ( deftly handled by Victor Lopez)  is being threatened by a  German developer, who is planning to tear the “strip” down and build an urban mall. This man, Hertz ( Quinn Kelch) and his son, Franz ( Sam Hook is adorable in this almost “Peewee Herman character role) during the course of the story find themselves changing their positions.

Lonny ( played to perfection by Christopher Johnson) is not only a character and best friend to Dupree, he is our “Narrator” and from time to time plays with the audience, for some fun moments. Sherrie ( Dani Pike is one terrific and energetic performer with  great vocal range) is the newcomer who has come to LA seeking her fame and fortune. Along the way, she meets local singer Drew ( deftly handled by Mack Spotts) . They fall in “friendship” and later, love but hit  several roadblocks along the way, leading each of them along separate and dangerous paths.

The strong ensemble members truly make the show move along at a pace that never leaves a space to get bored. Gabriel, Kohlbeck, James Mueller, Ava Lane Stovall, Hailey Brisard, Hannah Remain, Joseph Yanez, Tyler Meyer, Emily Ling Mei, Emily McCormick, Natalie Henry ( her “Mother” is wonderful), and Nathe Rowbotham as Stacee Jaxx is terrific. They deserved the standing ovation they were given on opening night. I expect they will get the same every performance, and I hope they get some energy drinks after the curtain calls.

The other tech notes: The lighting ( G. “Max” Maxin IV) and sound (Matthew R. Chase) were right on and the costumes ( Rachel Sypniewski) were very fitting. Bianca Gonzalez handled the props to perfection and I loved the wigs (Keith Ryan).The five musicians, who are onstage for the entire production under the leadership of Ken McMullen ( keyboard) are Michael Lockler (guitar 2), Jared Forth (guitar 1), Kara Olander (bass), and Colin Rambert (drums).

“Rock of Ages” will continue thru May 25th with performances as follows:

SOME SPECIAL EVENTS:

Ladies 80’s Nights some fun drinks available on 5/8, 5/17 and 5/22

Mothers Day 5/11 buy one /get one tickets

Costume Nights  5/9,5/16 and 5/23 on each of these, the patron with the best 80’s get up will receive a Rock of Ages/Metropolis “swag bag”.