Rock of Ages: The Jukebox Musical

CONROE, TX -- The late 1980’s were an incredible time, and being stationed in Europe in my late teens and early 20s, I had some magical times, and a lot of the music portrayed in The Players Theatre Company production of ‘Rock of Ages,’ I actually lived in the nightclubs and beaches of West Germany and other countries. It was a time, 1987, when bulky boomboxes or Walkmans were the portable music players of the day, and were a necessary addition to providing enjoyment to wherever you happened to be. The Players Theatre did a wonderful job in helping bring back a lot of memories for those old enough to remember, and provided an environment for the young, those old enough to attend a show designed for adults, to absorb new memories and get a glimpse of the past and the music that their ancestors grew up with.

RofA has the feel of a nightclub, with a live band, ‘TailorMaide,’ which played its part in bringing a piece of West Hollywood to rock Conroe, in the form of ‘The Bourbon Room.’ Of course there is a storyline involved with the music in-between the dialogue. It’s a busy, involved show, with things going on all over the place. The music is key, and it was performed admirably. Some of the songs really raised some goosebumps I can tell you, bringing memories of the time dang near to real life. ‘Wanted Dead or Alive,’ sung by Stacee Jaxx (Colton Land), Sherrie Christian (Meredith Fisk), along with the ensemble, was especially touching. You could feel their energy, the lifeforce they were emitting to the audience, in expressing one of the best songs, I feel, of the 1980s. Drew Boley (Connor Evers) and Christian in ‘Waiting For a Girl Like You,’ performed a wonderful duet, which of course is totally unique and again was simply magic.

The show’s narrator, Lonny Barnett (Robben Montez), laid down the 411 on the club owned by his boss and ex-rocker, Dennis Dupree (Mike Kilgore), and begins the intro of some of the shows characters. Barnett has special abilities in the musical, and is able to break the ‘fourth wall,’ which allows him to communicate with a modern day Conroe audience, even though Montez’s character is firmly ensconced as a 1987 character. Drew Boley, an underling of Lonny’s is set on a rock and roll career, and falls head over heels for Kansan, Sherrie Christian, a new SoCal arrival actress wannabe, and gives rise to Night Ranger’s ‘Sister Christian,’ the awesome 1984 ballad, that sets the stage for her quick coming of age story. Christian, thanks to Drew, finds work at the club, and a budding romance forms.

Of course there has to be controversy, so enters German developers Hertz Klinemann (Scott Allison) and his son Franz (Jonathon Duttweiler), plot with the Mayor (Laura Brown), to transform the strip into a clean living area. Imagine that. Regina (Alicia Allen), the wavering WH city planner, rebels and quits her position. Dennis learns of the demolition plans, and enlists the aid of big-time rocker Stacee Jaxx (Colton Land) and his band Arsenal, to raise money to counter the city.

While Drew struggles to write new songs, Sherrie supports him to go after his passion. Regina begins her quest to protest the raising of the strip. After calling back to Kansas, Sherrie discovers her feelings for Drew, who supports her dream. Drew finds his wings lyric wise, and credits Sherrie for the feat. They meet later for a picnic before Boley opens for Jaxx, and the suggestion of friendship ruins the moment. Stacee Jaxx’s arrival at the BR causes a stir, with Sherrie becoming entranced and hooking up with him in the men’s room. Boley’s set impresses a record producer, after a knocked out Jaxx has his stage time finished by the young man. Sherrie is fired after her betrayal, and Drew writes her off. Regina continues her protest, while Christian winds up working for strip owner Justice (Shanada Poulos).

Things are up in the air before the break, but that was life back then. You let life play out, and let the chips wind up where they may. But it would be interesting to see where everyone would be today. Did Drew and Sherrie’s love last? How did Franz and Regina wind up?

The acting was great, the singing was superb. I haven’t known Director Crickett Pepper to submit anything subpar. I really loved the set, and lighting. It really did look the part of a Sunset Strip dingy nightclub. The dancing was great with Dance Captain Eli Williams not only performing flawlessly, but training her charges in putting in credible performances to others on stage whose strong suit may not be dance.

I know it's a big ask, but if I could have changed anything, I would have had the band go into the studio and lay down the entire track in studio, with the band simulating the music on stage. I think it would have been that much better, but I know cost wise with community theater it's just not possible. But still TailorMaide rocked the house, and the actors did their part in singing their hearts out, and I would have loved to stay afterwards and talk with the actors.

I’m sorry I couldn’t release this review earlier. To tell the truth, I was growing sick during the show, but held out, not having to use my emesis bag in the theater. Being a Disabled Veteran is not fun, but I promised myself I would stick it out. I know the show has run its course, but still I recommend Rock of Ages. It made the more mature amongst us feel young again. Plus it’s a great historical document to show future generations to what the simpler times of the 1980’s were about, and although there was seriousness to the times, they were a lot slower than the hurried lives we now all live.

See you at the Owen Theatre for the next show!

Steel Magnolias starts October 25th. playerstheatrecompany.com or 936-539-4090 for tickets.