STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- As the lights go up at New World Stages in Manhattan for a Saturday matinee performance, Staten Island native John Barry props himself on stage, slings his guitar over his shoulders and gets into rockstar mode.

Its why the Princes Bay resident was a natural choice to be a substitute member of the Rock of Ages band. The production, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in an off-Broadway setting, has let the Staten Islander grace its stage in recent months as part of the shows pit band.

Its amazing that they take the time to entertain a kid from Staten Island, Barry told SILive.com. Thats all I am. Im a dude from Staten Island who plays guitar and its an honor to be asked back every time they do.

He admits that the stereotype of knowing someone in the business helped land him the role, and after shadowing the guitarist he would fill in for for a few performances, he was ready to go.

Staten Island native John Barry featured in the "Rock of Ages" off-Broadway production at New World Stages October 5, 2019. (Staten Island Advance/ Victoria Priola)

Its a little nerve-racking to be honest with you, Barry said of watching the show from a seat in the audience before joining it. My goal is to be as true to the soundtrack as possible, and its really amazing how much work goes into it on the bands part backstage.

The Rock of Ages set has no orchestra area, so the musicians are center stage throughout the entire performance. Members of the pit band are essentially characters in the show, which is different for Barry since he has very little acting experience.

Being in theater, though, is in his blood.

I played in some pits in middle school and throughout high school, the Susan E. Wagner High School alumnus said. My aunt, Diane Zerega, is a music theater teacher at Wagner High School so theater has been in my life for as long as I can remember."

A STATEN ISLAND MUSICIAN ON THE RISE

Barry has always dreamed of shredding for a living.

During family trips to Broadway, he found himself focused on the guitar section of the orchestra in shows like The Sound of Music and Lion King.

But it wasnt until he went to the Berklee College of Music in Boston that he discovered how to turn his passion into a career.

Barry said that teacher William Levay at Barnes Intermediate School in Great Kills was a role model to him growing up.

Hes the reason I have long hair, he said.

When I was in middle school and [Levay] was, like, the biggest influence in my life, I wanted to be a teacher, Barry said. I wanted to do for kids what he had done for me.

While the musician wouldnt disclose how many shows he has left on the Rock of Ages run, he encouraged people to see it even if hes not performing.

Everyone in the cast, crew and the pit has been absolutely amazing, he said. Theyve been so welcoming and its a really nice vibe."

HOW TO SEE ROCK OF AGES

Performances of Rock of Ages take place at New World Stages, 340 W. 50th St., until Jan. 12. Show times are Monday at 8 p.m., Wednesday at 8 p.m., Thursday at 8 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 3 and 7:30 p.m.

For more information about tickets, call 212-239-6200 or go online.

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Rock of Ages features Staten Island guitarist in off-Broadway run - SILive.com