Friday, April 23, 2010
Keith Stone - Sound God?
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Happy 1st Anniversary "Rock of Ages"
Hey Rockers!
While the ACTUAL date of the 1st birthday of Broadway's "Rock of Ages" is today (Wednesday, April 7), the show is dark, so a bash was thrown last night at Tony's di Napoli for the cast, crew, producers and Brooks Atkinson staff to celebrate the anniversary with lots of good food, speeches, music, and a gorgeous cake. However the highlight was a video created by the producers, featuring the fans of the show (including a few famous ones!) talking about how the show touched their lives.
Here it is...
In addition, the show's star, Constantine Maroulis was added to Tony di Napoli's Wall of fame with a portrait unveiling, hosted by restaurant manager Bruce Dipflmaier and Wall of Fame producer Valerie Smaldone. Here's a list of links to terrific photo and video coverage of the portrait's unveiling (we'll update the links as more sites post their coverage):
BroadwayWorld
Broadway.com
Corine's Corner
TheaterMania
Congratulations to Constantine on the portrait and the "Rock of Ages" company on celebrating their first of hopefully many years of rocking hearts and melting faces all over the world!
Rock on,
Miss Lizzy
While the ACTUAL date of the 1st birthday of Broadway's "Rock of Ages" is today (Wednesday, April 7), the show is dark, so a bash was thrown last night at Tony's di Napoli for the cast, crew, producers and Brooks Atkinson staff to celebrate the anniversary with lots of good food, speeches, music, and a gorgeous cake. However the highlight was a video created by the producers, featuring the fans of the show (including a few famous ones!) talking about how the show touched their lives.
Here it is...
In addition, the show's star, Constantine Maroulis was added to Tony di Napoli's Wall of fame with a portrait unveiling, hosted by restaurant manager Bruce Dipflmaier and Wall of Fame producer Valerie Smaldone. Here's a list of links to terrific photo and video coverage of the portrait's unveiling (we'll update the links as more sites post their coverage):
BroadwayWorld
Broadway.com
Corine's Corner
TheaterMania
Congratulations to Constantine on the portrait and the "Rock of Ages" company on celebrating their first of hopefully many years of rocking hearts and melting faces all over the world!
Rock on,
Miss Lizzy
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Welcome to our Newest Staff Member!!!
Hey Rockers!
I'd like to take a moment to introduce all of you to the newest member of the staff here at The Cry of the Strip. She's a long-time Rock of Ages fan, a terrific writer and has spent years in the entertainment industry, running street teams for the likes of Def Leppard and Man Raze.
Please welcome our new Correspondent, "Anne Barnett...Sound Goddess"!
Her first assignment here at TCOTS will be covering the Rock of Ages Bus Trip to Toronto to see the Final Invited Dress Rehearsal of ROA Toronto later this month.
Follow her on Twitter and Facebook!
Rock on!
Miss Lizzy
I'd like to take a moment to introduce all of you to the newest member of the staff here at The Cry of the Strip. She's a long-time Rock of Ages fan, a terrific writer and has spent years in the entertainment industry, running street teams for the likes of Def Leppard and Man Raze.
Please welcome our new Correspondent, "Anne Barnett...Sound Goddess"!
Her first assignment here at TCOTS will be covering the Rock of Ages Bus Trip to Toronto to see the Final Invited Dress Rehearsal of ROA Toronto later this month.
Follow her on Twitter and Facebook!
Rock on!
Miss Lizzy
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Rock Of Ages The Musical goes Country; Set to Open in Branson, MO
Smash hit Rock Of Ages The Musical has been enjoying constant sell out performances since its opening on Broadway a year ago, but after a successful year entertaining New Yorkers and tourists with its 80s rock nostalgia and monster rock ballads, the producers feel its time to reinterpret the production to reach their originally intended audience--country music.
Matt Weaver, Producer of Rock Of Ages, recalls in a recent interview in Country Weekly Magazine, "When we first came up with the idea for this production, of course it was supposed to be All Country Music, but along the way we were cooerced into changing it to a musical about LA in the late 80s, instead of Nashville in the 60s as the first script indicated."
Writer Chris D'Arienzo (sporting a 10 gallon stetson hat and titanium spurs) added "I love country music, I grew up watching "Hee Haw" and listening to Eddie Rabbit, Tammy Wynette and the Oak Ridge Boys and my biggest dream was to pen a romantic musical comedy set in a bluegrass bar in Nashville, where a young girl from LA comes to fall in love with a small town busboy. I was floored when they changed the concept. That whole rock thing is completely foreign to me, I had to read reams of issues of Kerrang Magazine and watch MTV reruns to even get a basic understanding of what rock was like in the 80s, and even still I just don't see the appeal, but at least some of the fans seem to like it."
But will the lead rocker, Constantine Maroulis, move to Missouri to join the cast there? Producer Janet Billig commented "Well, uh, we havent actually asked him yet, since we're waiting for Keith Urban to get back to us. Besides, Constantine may be "too ethnic."
Monday, March 29, 2010
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.For tickets and information, go to the Duplex web site.
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
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.
Miss Lizzy
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
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
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 TarantoNickname(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
Thursday, March 18, 2010
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
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
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