Rock of Ages Cast Past and Present - Whassup!

Hey, Rockers!

On this rainy Monday in NYC, I thought I'd catch you all up with some upcoming projects for some of the current and past members of the "Rock of Ages" family...

Ready? Then let's go...
First up...a concert from current cast member Lauren Molina at the Duplex in the West Village on Wednesday, April 14th at 9:30pm. Here's the show in her own words...

I'm making a comeback to the trusty old Duplex. It's cozy, fun, and I guarantee a singalong. Please come and have a few laughs with me and my music making friends.

It will be an evening of ukulele driven originals, and playful covers, layered with cello, guitar, banjo, and melodica.
I will be playing with Christian Imboden on guitar, and special guests Nick Cearley and Michele Mais, aka Maisey, from Rock of Ages

For tickets and information, go to the Duplex web site.

Next, speaking of Lauren, we have former ROA cast member and current "Addams Family" star Wesley Taylor...

Theatre World Award winner and Outer Critics Circle nominee Wesley Taylor (Addams Family, Rock of Ages) performs at Joe's Pub boasting special guests Matt Doyle (Spring Awakening, Bye Bye Birdie), Mitch Jarvis (Fiddler, Rock of Ages), Lauren Molina (Sweeney Todd, Rock of Ages), and Krysta Rodriguez (Addams Family, In the Heights).

Joining him will be Mary Mitchell Campbell-MD/piano, Damien Bassman-drums, Jason Reischel-guitar, Christian Imboden-bass.

Monday, May 3rd, 11:30pm Joe's Pub-425 Lafayette St.

To buy tickets go to the Joe's Pub web site.

Last but definitely not least, news from one of the original "Rock of Ages "wonderstudies", Tad Wilson! He made the following announcement this morning and I thought I'd share it with all of you...

"It is official that I am joining the cast of Priscilla Queen of the Desert when it moves to Broadway in 2011. We will begin this summer with a tryout period in Toronto before coming in to NYC. As soon as we get theatre information for the Broadway run, I will let you know. Stay connected and spread the word. "

Please follow Tad on Twitter at @tadwilson and on his official web site.

That's all for now...ROCK ON!

Miss Lizzy

Rock of Ages Class of 2010 - Joey Taranto

Hey, Rockers!

There's a new Drew in the Bourbon Room...Joey Taranto!

And of course, your friends here at TCOTS took some time to get the dish on this "wonderstudy"...enjoy!


Full Name: Joseph Sidney Taranto

Nickname(s): Joey

Role(s) in “Rock of Ages”: Drew

Song you most looking forward to performing in the show: Oooooh, I really enjoy the "More than Words/Heaven" medley. I think the arrangement is beautiful.

In “Rock of Ages,” Drew’s a barback, Lonny’s a sound engineer and Sherrie’s a waitress. If you weren’t about to be in a hit musical on Broadway, what would you be doing for a living? I honestly I have no idea. At this point, performing is my only option.

Favorite 80's movie / TV show: "The Never Ending Story" is not only my favorite 80's movie, but my favorite movie of ALL time. "ARTEX!! YOU'RE SINKING!!!" My favorite TV show of the 80's? Probably "Gimme a Break" cause Nell Carter was way a head of her time.

If you could go back in time to see any band in concert with a song in "Rock of Ages", who would it be? Definitely Journey. Steve Perry was an AMAZING front man and I still haven't gotten over the fact that he left the band. WHHHHHHHHHY???

Please show Joey your support by becoming a follower on his Facebook Fan Page here.

Rock on and break a leg, Joey! Welcome to the ROA family!

Miss Lizzy

Rock of Ages Star Constantine Maroulis' Portrait Unveiling at Sardi's

Hey, Rockers!

On a gorgeous, sunny, cool and breezy March afternoon in New York City, at the legendary Sardi's Restaurant, "Rock of Ages" star Constantine Maroulis was honored with a caricature portrait to hang in the restaurant's gallery of Broadway luminaries.

Along with current and past members of the "Rock of Ages" cast, family, and friends, veteran rocker (and Sopranos star) Steven Van Zandt also attended the event.

First, the big reveal...



Then...the man of the hour sat down to sign his portrait...



And finally, a shout out to all of us here on The Cry of the Strip!



For you still-photo fans, here are a few pics capturing the event:

Costantine and some of his "Rock of Ages" castmates

Constantine with his very proud sister Anastasia and mother Constance

Special guests Steven and Maureen Van Zandt with Constantine

Constantine and his portrait

And soon to grace the walls of Sardi's...

Congratulations, Constantine...and ROCK ON!

Miss Lizzy

Rock of Ages Star Constantine Maroulis to be Immortalized At Sardi's

Happy Monday, Rockers!

MAJOR news...

"American Idol" finalist Constantine Maroulis, who earned a 2009 Tony Award nomination for his performance in Rock of Ages, will be honored with a Sardi's caricature March 18.

The unveiling of the caricature will be held at 5 PM at the famed Manhattan eatery. The event is by-invitation-only.

A Brooklyn native, Constantine Maroulis is a graduate of both the Boston Conservatory and the Berklee College of Music. He trained as an apprentice at the Williamstown Theatre Festival and appeared as Roger in a tour of Rent. In addition to his performances on "American Idol," he has also been seen on "Law & Order: SVU" and in several independent films. Maroulis played a previous engagement at the Public Theater's Joe's Pub as well as a stint in Broadway's The Wedding Singer and Off-Broadway's Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. He was also seen in the Premier Theatre Company's production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

From all your friends at The Cry of the Strip...congratulations, Constantine, on this huge honor! We raise our wine coolers to you!

Rock on,

Miss Lizzy

Rock of Ages Welcomes New Cast Members in March

Hey, Rockers!

"Just like every night has its dawn..."

...every role must be recast when beloved cast members leave...so here are is the official announcement on replacements this month for Kerry Butler (Sherrie) and Tom Lenk (Franz).

Emily Padgett will succeed Tony nominee Kerry Butler as Sherrie in the Broadway production of Rock of Ages March 15.Padgett (Grease, Legally Blonde), who has understudied the role since November, will take over for Butler, who departs March 13. Butler began performances in Rock of Ages Sept. 18.

Actor Tom Lenk, who succeeded current Addams Family actor Wesley Taylor in the role of Franz, will play his final performance in Rock of Ages March 21.

On March 22, the Broadway production will welcome Derek St. Pierre in his Broadway debut as Franz and Katie Webber (Memphis) as Waitress #1.

We'll miss you, Kerry and Tom (look for a cabaret show from Kerry in the near future)...and congratulations to Emily on the "promotion" and welcome to Katie and Derek!

Rock on,

Miss Lizzy

Rock of Ages First Anniversary Video - BE A PART OF IT

Hey Rockers!

This comes straight from ROA HQ in the back of Arsenal's tour bus...

Have you seen ROCK OF AGES
5 times? 20 times? 100 times?
We want to know!

ROA celebrates its one-year anniversary on April 7, 2010. Wahoo!

We want to hear about your ROCK OF AGES experience: Why you love it and what keeps you coming back!

Email your ROCK OF AGES story to ROAOneYear@gmail.com. Be sure to include your name, age, gender and address.

The first 40 people who send us their stories will receive a free ticket to either the Monday, March 7th or Tuesday, March 8th performance, because, guess what? We’re making an exclusive One Year Anniversary Video, and YOU might be picked to be on camera telling your story in your own words!

(All interviews will be conducted on Monday March 7th, Tuesday March 8th, and Wednesday March 9th. Once you are confirmed please plan your schedules accordingly.)

ENTRIES MUST BE SENT BY
SATURDAY, MARCH 6 @ 11:59PM

So come on, feel the noize, share your story...and be a part of ROA history!

Rock on,

Miss Lizzy