Rock 'n' Roll Revival: "Rock of Ages" Takes Us Home Again at the Ritz!
by Lori Clark
Hey there, fellow rockers, and theater enthusiasts! It was a thrilling night for those of us who have a deep love for the 1980s, as the stage of the Ritz Theatre in Oaklyn, NJ, was transformed into the Bourbon Room, the quintessential, smoke-filled, rock and roll club, and transported us back in time with an electrifying production of "Rock of Ages."
"Rock of Ages" is a jukebox musical set in the 1980s on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. The story revolves around aspiring rocker Drew, who works at The Bourbon Room, a famous rock club, and falls in love with Sherrie, a small-town girl who dreams of becoming an actress. As they pursue their dreams, they encounter various colorful characters, including the flamboyant rockstar Stacee Jaxx, who is set to perform at The Bourbon Room.
Amidst the backdrop of the club's impending closure and the challenges of the rock 'n' roll lifestyle, Drew and Sherrie's love story is put to the test. The musical features a soundtrack filled with iconic '80s rock anthems, including hits from bands like Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, and more.
This reviewer spent many an evening in the 80’s at clubs, not unlike the iconic Bourbon Room where our story is set. In addition, having had the privilege to enjoy a previous production of the same show in 2017 at Haddonfield Plays & Players, (which included a few of the same folks on stage and on the creative team), it was like reuniting with old friends at a rock 'n' roll reunion tour, and boy, did they bring the house down!
The fabulous set, designed by Ed Doyle with lighting by Jen Donsky, and properties by Jenn Kopesky, worked beautifully. The grungy, smoke-filled, atmosphere festooned with authentic album covers and rock’n’roll memorabilia, was a time machine that took us straight into the heart of the Sunset Strip. Our pit musicians, dressed in their eighties best, were placed right on the stage, and complemented the larger-than-life performances, and gave us that authentic '80s concert feel. A large screen served to fill the narrative with clever projections that were both amusing and atmospheric.
Directors Rico Santiago and Ed Doyle (who previously helmed the show at HPP) have outdone themselves. The pacing and energy of this show were impeccable. The humor was spot-on, and the nods to '80s pop culture were pure gold. The choreography by Courtney Daniels brought back memories of MTV music videos and had us all dancing in our seats. The chemistry among the cast was electric, and their interactions were both heartwarming and hilarious.
The cast was a powerhouse of talent. Our two leads, Janie Hornstein (Sherrie) and Tommy Craig (Drew) with their incredible vocals, charisma, and chemistry, embodied the spirit of youth, naivete, and grand ambition. Tommy Craig’s interpretation of Drew was an endearing mixture of innocence and rock’n’roll rebellion, while Janie Hornstein brough a slightly more sophisticated portrayal of Sherrie than I’ve seen in the past. Rico Santiago (Lonny), reprising his outstanding performance as our narrator, brought an explosion of energy every moment he stepped onto the stage. He deftly told the story, while giving a slight wink to the audience, peppered with tongue-in-cheek sarcasm, making us feel like we were in on the joke with him. Pat Walsh (Dennis Dupree) was a stand-out. His stunning vocals notwithstanding, his presence on the stage felt entirely authentic. As if he were truly the character he portrayed, not just an actor playing a part. As if he had been waiting at the Bourbon Room for the rest of the cast and the audience to assemble, and we got to meet him by happenstance. Kim Whitehill as Regina (pronounced with a long i sound), the quirky city planner turned protester, was charming and delightful; Peter Herrick (Hertz) as our bad guy, gave us a magnificently layered performance that made us feel both disdain and empathy for his character. Brian Herrick, (Franz), gave us one of the show’s funniest scenes with his pitch-perfect portrayal of Franz, as his character transforms from shy and compliant, to rebellious and true to himself. April Johnson (Justice), in the role she was born to play, blew us away with her vocals and larger-than-life presence. And last, but certainly not least, Vinnie DiFilippo (reprising his role as Stacee Jaxx) oozing rockstar charisma, powerhouse vocals and flawless comic timing (and just the right amount of sleaziness) stole the show once again.
The ensemble cast, including James Van Nostrand and Salma Elwy, was absolutely stellar, demonstrating the depth of talent in this group of performers. Kristine Bonaventura as the mayor, Sherrie's mother, and ensemble member, and Joe Moschella, in a variety of roles were MVPs, demonstrating impressive versatility and comedic timing bringing an extra layer of delight to the show. Val Calderone, a true force on the dance floor, showcased her incredible talent with some jaw-dropping dance moves. Joined by dancers Anna Sanzone and Emily Gulden, their energy and precision were nothing short of mesmerizing, adding an electrifying dimension to the show, reminding us that dance is an integral part of the rock 'n' roll experience. Liana Donato delivered a show-stopping performance as Waitress #1 that left us awestruck.
The music, the soul of this show, was masterfully orchestrated by Trisha Dennis. The band (Aviroop Das, Gavin Kim, Carmen Matarazzo, Siddhartha Supplah), rocked the house, and every classic '80s hit was delivered with the energy and enthusiasm that made us fall in love with these songs all over again. The musical direction, and the vocal talent of these performers, and sound by Matthew Gallagher (Sound Engineer) and Meg Bryan (Sound Technician), hit the sweet spot every time, and I’m not at all ashamed to say, we were singing along with every tune.
Ah, the '80s fashion! The costumes by Meg Iafolla, were a blast from the past, filled with leather, lace, spandex, and crazy hair. The attention to detail was evident, and it was like stepping into a time machine. The costumes transported us back to a time when excess was the norm, and we loved every glittering moment of it. For the sake of authenticity, I might recommend that our ensemble grab a can of Aqua Net and a teasing comb and give us some more of that big 80’s hair, and work to incorporate that into their performance.
In conclusion, "Rock of Ages" at the Ritz Theatre was a nostalgia-fueled, high-octane journey through the best of the 1980s. It reminded us why we fell in love with rock 'n' roll in the first place – the music, the energy, and the spirit of rebellion. It's a testament to the enduring power of this era's music that transcends generations.
The question of “Can you go home again?” kept coming to me while watching this show. Can you return to a time that was glorious, and silly, and wonderful, and loud, and free-spirited? Can you recapture youth, and fun all over again? For this reviewer, the answer is a resounding yes. For one night, I got to relive my personal glory days of 80’s rock’n’roll, and for many members of this cast and creative team, we got to enjoy watching them relive their glory days of performing this gem of a show on a different stage. So, grab your air guitar and head over to the Ritz Theatre in Oaklyn, NJ. “Rock of Ages" is an absolute must-see, and I guarantee you'll leave with a heart full of '80s nostalgia and a smile that won't fade for days. Rock on, Oaklyn!
Rock of Ages runs Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays now through September 24th. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/ritztheatreco/6520
