Dig your padded shoulders, colorful leotards, and statement T-shirts with slogans, do your hair up big, and head to Broadway Palm Dinner Theater for the Broadway Hit “Rock of Ages”.
This 1980s jukebox musical is full of feel-good energy that takes you on a trip down memory lane which doesn’t seem all that long ago.
The show is set to all of our favorite 80s music which helps tell the story and it delivers a musical experience filled with athletic 80s-inspired choreography by Kerry Lambert and directed by Dean Sobon.
This show was extra special and one that I had wanted to see but never had the opportunity as it took me back to my youth.
Don’t let the title fool you, it is not filled with heavy metal rock.
For those not familiar with the show, it takes place on the Sunset Strip in the 80s where bartender Drew played “Dale Obermark”, who I’ve really come to appreciate watching on stage. He is brilliant and has a tremendous voice.
If you loved him in Margaritaville you’ll love him as the boy who dreams of being a rock star. He meets Sherrie, played by actress “Ellie Roddy”, the girl who wants to make it big as an actress.
The two fall in love until the rock legend Stacee Jaxx played by “Justin Wolfe Smith” plays interference and convincingly delivers the sleaze. All three of the actors have great energy and voices.
However, German developers Hertz “Robert Tully” and his son Franz “Nik Olson” make a great comedic team as they threaten to demolish the strip.
The show uses a narrator Lonny played brilliantly by actor “Matt Michael” who delivers much of the show’s comedic impact and charm tongue in cheek by deliberately breaking the 4th wall. His vocals are also great.
Broadway Palm veteran actor “Victor Legarreta” plays Dennis, the owner of the legendary Bourbon Room filled with a cast of characters and an ensemble cast that delivers some of your favorite songs that defined a generation.
You’ll enjoy some great songs including “We Built This City”, “Here I Go Again” and “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” to name only a few of the 33 best loved songs that fill the show and engage the audience while tying together a love story.
The bottom line, “This Show Rocks!” and the proof came during the finale which brought the crowd jumping to its feet in applause.
The show does have adult themes and some sexual innuendoes but come on Gen Xers, we lived it so it couldn’t have been that bad.
There’s still plenty of time to see the show as it runs through June 25th.
Tickets are available by calling the Broadway Palm box office at 239-278-4422.
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