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 News from the Bourbon Room!

Hey, Rockers!

Just thought I'd check in with a few odds and ends from the "Rock of Ages" universe!

Upcoming Appearances:

Wednesday, July 22 - Constantine and the cast of "Rock of Ages" will be making a guest performance with the band ZO2 (from IFC's hit show Z-Rock) at the Mercury Lounge (217 East Houston Street New York, NY - 212-260-4700) @ 9:30 pm. 21+ please - doors open at 7:30pm.

Thursday, July 23 - Broadway in Bryant Park - Presented by New York radio's 106.7 Lite FM, the free midday events feature musical performances by Broadway and Off-Broadway shows at the midtown greenery, approximately 12:30-1:30 PM. This week's performances will include the casts of Mary Poppins, Rock of Ages, Vanities and Next to Normal.

Tuesday, July 28 - Constantine will be performing a song from "Rock of Ages" on ABC's "The View" with Dee Snider of Twisted Sister!

Cast News:

- Welcome to new swing cast member Becca Tobin! We hope to have an "ROA Class of 2009" interview with Becca in the near future.

- "Rock of Ages" swing cast member Tad Wilson has announced to TCOTS that he will be leaving "Rock of Ages" in the fall and taking a role in the new musical "Wonderland: Alice's New Musical Adventure". As a fan favorite and an all-around very cool guy, we wish Tad the very best with this new role and look forward to seeing this on Broadway soon!

- "Rock of Ages" cast member Savannah Wise has launched a Fan Page on Facebook. Join the page and show your support for our new "Sherrie Christian"!

Internet Stuff:
- I was interviewed over the weekend by Kay and Abi of the Internet podcast "Exposed!" and talked about ROA, The After-Party, and 80's rock in general. If you'd like to download the broadcast, go to this link and enjoy!

- Join the Facebook Fan Page for "The China Club NYC" and you'll always be the first to get details on each week's Rock of Ages After-Party! Click here to sign up! (And don't forget - tonight's special guest at the After-Party is former Journey lead singer Steve Augeri!

That's all for now, party people!

Rock on,

Miss Lizzy

Rock of Ages' Tad Wilson Kicks Off "Broadway Legs" for BC/EFA

Hey, Rockers!

“Rock of Ages” cast member Tad Wilson is spearheading what we hope will become a new theater tradition and would love for the fans to help!

Now, the theater community has had a time-honored phrase for wishing someone good luck –“Break a leg.” At a few of the recent Broadway openings, the casts of such shows as “Rock of Ages", “Next to Normal", "9 to 5" and "Waiting for Godot" have been presented with an artifical leg, signed by cast members and created for the occasion to ceremonially break before curtain.

“Broadway Legs” hopes to donate the signed legs to the silent auction at the Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS Grand Flea Market and Auction in late September, but – sorry about this joke, everyone – these legs cost an arm and a…well, you know.

Tad has acquired 10 “Rock of Ages” show posters signed by the entire Broadway cast and would like to give the fans here on The Cry of the Strip the first opportunity to purchase one for $50, with every penny going to purchase the materials for the project.

In essence…artificial limbs will be helping to save REAL lives. For information regarding the project or to reserve a poster for purchase (at the theater - cash only, please), please contact me at lizzy@thecryofthestrip.com

Rock on!

Miss Lizzy

"Rock of Ages" TV Appearances, Special Guests...and an Award or Two!

Hey, Rockers!

Lately, there have been some awesome TV appearances by the "Rock of Ages" cast, some megawatt stars of tv, film and rock and roll visiting the show...and a cast member has been recognized a recent appearance in another production (but just got the award). So kick off your heels and scrape off the makeup (you too, ladies!), get comfortable...and away we go!

First of all, your friends here at The Cry of the Strip want to make sure that just in case you're totally retro and haven't gotten one of those fancy TiVo things, you still get to catch two AWESOME appearances by the cast of "Rock of Ages" and some very special guests.

First, on Monday April 27th, "Rock of Ages" stars Constantine Maroulis and Amy Spanger joined legendary rockers Tommy Shaw of Styx and Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon at the CBS Early Show. Amy and Constantine were interviewed to promote "Rock of Ages."




Later, they joined Tommy and Kevin on the CBS Early Show stage as they performed their new single "Can't Stop Rockin" (also the name of the Styx/REO Speedwagon / 38 Special tour, which kicks off May 12th).




On Wednesday, April 29th, the cast and band of "Rock of Ages" made some rock and roll dreams come true as Regis Philbin donned some leather and studs, learned "metal hands" and got in touch with his inner rock star during Broadway Week on "Live with Regis and Kelly."



What's even more amazing - "Reege" isn't the only celebrity with the desire to hang out in the Bourbon Room! "How I Met Your Mother" star Neil Patrick Harris, 80's icon (Batman? Beetlejuice? MR. MOM!?!?!?!?) Michael Keaton, legendary rocker Mickey Dolenz of The Monkees and "Lost" star Matthew Fox have all stopped by "Rock of Ages" in the past week. Michael Twittered about the fun he had at the show, and both Neil and Matthew sang the shows praises on various talk shows...word is getting around!

Last, but certainly not least, we'd like to send a special "way to go" out to cast member Tad Wilson on his winning his first professional theater award this past week. Tad was recognized as Best Actor in a Musical by SALT (Saratoga Area Local Theater) for his performance as Jean Valjean in the Merry-Go-Round production of "Les Miserables".

One final note to close out this mega-sized blog post - the "Rock of Ages" cast album was recorded yesterday! A release date is tentatively set for late May.

Rock on,

Miss Lizzy