20 Production shots that describe the struggles of being in a Musical | Part 2

Following our overwhelming response to our article last year, we have decided to bring this back! Production Pictures that describe the struggles of being in a musical smashed all of our records last year and we had such fun creating it, so here's another one! We hope you all like it as much as last year and enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it. 

Please note, this article is merely light-hearted entertainment. We respect and adore all the performers and shows involved in this and hope that it is viewed in the same way. 

REVIEW: Rock of Ages at The New Victoria Theatre, Woking

I remember seeing Rock of Ages in the West End in 2011 and absolutely adoring it. Granted, it was 8 years ago so my memory may be a little fuzzy but the general picture is exceptionally positive so I had high hopes for this new touring production from SellADoor Worldwide and Director/Choreographer Nick Winston. Featuring classic rock anthems such as “Feel The Noize”, “We’re Not Gonna Take It”, “Here I Go Again” and “Don’t Stop Believing” the programme promises an evening of Rock and Roll magic. 

A classic tale of boy meet girl…. until boy friendzones girl, girl fondles rock star, rock star gets girl fired, girl becomes a stripper, boy joins a boyband, girl runs away, boy finds girl, kiss kiss happy ever after they shall be forever. Throw in some angry protesters, whisky drinking club owners, “Gay or European” German property developers and … ta-da, it’s Rock of Ages! 

Jodie Steele, fresh from her run in Heathers at Theatre Royal, Haymarket, smashes it out of the park as Sherrie – the wide-eyed, innocent farmgirl with big Rock & Roll dreams. Her vocals are faultless and oh-so-powerful. Her confidence and physicality shine through the theatre (and in a role which requires shorts THAT short and pole-dancing in lingerie, that’s pretty imperative!) The good news is, Steele looks as good as she sounds and I can’t fault her characterisation at all; she brought the comedy of the role to the fore without sacrificing a moment of realism in this otherwise pretty bat-sh*t crazy show! 

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FIRST LOOK: UK Tour of Rock Of Ages

ROCK OF AGES The Musical is the ultimate rock mix-tape musical, an hilarious story of dreams, love and - of course - rock. A celebration of classic 80s rock culture, the show tells the story of a small town girl and a big city rocker falling in love to the greatest songs of the decade. Featuring memorable tunes such as ‘We Built This City’, ‘The Final Countdown’, ‘I Wanna Know What Love Is’ and ‘Don’t Stop Believin’, the show brings its wild celebration of Los Angeles rock culture to the UK. Warning: this show may unleash your inner rock god, and have you reaching for your air guitar in the aisles.   

ROCK OF AGES The Musical is written by Chris D’Arienzo, directed by Kristin Hanggi and choreographed by Kelly Devine.  The UK Associate Director & Choreographer for this tour is Leigh Constantine, and the UK Musical Supervisor is Elliott Ware.  Scenic design for the production is by Beowulf Boritt, costume design is by Tony Award nominee Gregory Gale, lighting design is by Jason Lyons, sound design is by Tony Award nominee Peter Hylenski, and projection design is by Zachary Borovay. 

Nathan Amzi to appear in ROCK OF AGES: The Musical for limited time only

Having previously understudied Lonny in the West End production of Rock of Ages, star of BBC1’s The Voice, Nathan Amzi performs for two nights only: Monday 5th and Tuesday 6th May at the Palace Theatre, Manchester.


Last Saturday, Amzi travelled to Manchester, to support the show and see the debut performance of the UK touring production in the opening city.  But when the actor who plays Lonny on tour, Stephen Raman-Hughes, and his understudy Chris Southgate, unfortunately both suffered injuries, Amzi was asked to step into the role he understudied in the West End. Rising to the challenge, Amzi undertook last-minute rehearsals with the touring company and took to the stage on Monday 5thMay. He will perform at the tour’s Press Night performance tonight, Tuesday 6th May.  It is not yet known when Rahman-Hughes or Southgate will return.

ROCK OF AGES announces full cast

Following a three-year run in London’s West End, audiences around the country will get the chance to enjoy ROCK OF AGES The Musical as it embarks on a UK tour, opening at The Palace Theatre, Manchester on 5th May 2014.

The show will then tour to: Birmingham, Edinburgh, Torquay, Nottingham, Bromley, Bradford, Aylesbury, Bristol, Stoke, Liverpool, Sunderland, Glasgow, Brighton, Milton Keynes, Woking, York, Southampton, Dublin, Belfast, Hull, Cardiff, Oxford, Sheffield, Southend and Wimbledon.

ROCK OF AGES announces UK Tour, Starring Ben Richards and Noel Sullivan

Following a three-year run in London’s West End, audiences around the country will get the chance to enjoy ROCK OF AGES The Musical as it embarks on a UK tour, opening at The Palace Theatre, Manchester on 5th May 2014.

The show will then tour to: Birmingham, Edinburgh, Torquay, Nottingham, Bromley, Bradford, Aylesbury, Bristol, Stoke, Liverpool, Sunderland, Glasgow, Brighton, Milton Keynes, Woking, York, Southampton, Dublin, Belfast, Hull, Cardiff, Oxford, Sheffield, Southend and Wimbledon.

Rock of Ages the Musical: Theatre Review

 

Rock of Ages first premiered in Los Angeles in 2006 with later productions taking place in Melbourne, Broadway, Off-Broadway and a film coming out in 2012. Rock of Ages started previews in London on 31^stAugust with an opening night on 27^thSeptember.The story is exactly what you would expect from an 80's musical, Boy with big dreams meets girl with big dreams, they fall in love, boy ruins the relationship, girl turns to stripping, boy regrets this, boy meets girl again, boy and girl get together and everyone lives happily ever after.

Ok, so the show is a lot better than I'm making it sound! The thing i really liked about this show is that it makes fun of itself; they pull out a programme for the show in the second act and occasionally break the fourth wall. From the audiences point of view it was fantastic, it's such a refreshing break from conventional musical theatre.