“Rock and roll is here to stay.”
– Neil Young
Who doesn’t love the music of the 80’s? Big sounds, big bands, bigger hair…I mean there is a reason they call it “classic rock.” You’d be hard pressed to find someone over the age of 15 who doesn’t know at least one great hit from the 80’s.
Rock of Ages is a rock/jukebox musical, with a book by Chris D’Arienzo, built around classic rock songs from the 1980s, especially from the famous glam metal bands of that decade. The musical features songs from Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Steve Perry, Poison and Europe among other well-known rock bands. Set in L.A.’s infamous Sunset Strip in 1987, ROCK OF AGES tells the story of Drew, a boy from South Detroit and Sherrie, a small-town girl, both in L.A. to chase their dreams of making it big and falling in love. ROCK OF AGES takes you back to the times of big bands with big egos playing big guitar solos and sporting even bigger hair!
As you will see, this show does not take itself seriously. These characters and songs are larger than life, with moments where they poke fun at themselves, at others, at rock and roll……they even acknowledge the fact that they are in a musical! And I think that perfectly honors what rock and roll is all about, which is not taking things too serious, and just letting loose and having fun. I think Bob Seger put it best:
“Yeah the rafters will be ringing ‘cause the beat’s so strong
The crowd will be swaying and singing along
And all you got to do is get in, into the mix
If you need a fix
Come back baby
Rock and roll never forgets”
It’s our hope that you hear some of your favorite rock hits from the 80’s, let loose and have some fun at least for a little while, and enjoy going along with us on this wacky ROCKIN’ rollercoaster! And remember, sometimes “…the dreams you come in with may not be the dreams you leave with…but hey, they still ROCK!”
Are you ready to ROCK! Rock of Ages opens on Main Stage at Backdoor Theatre Oct 7-22nd!
Get your tickets now! Call (940) 322-5000 or go to www.backdoortheatre.org
by Carter Wallace & Mike Sherry
