‘Rock of Ages’ brings the 80s back to the Renaissance – Richland Source

MANSFIELD We will, we will, rock you at the Renaissance Theatre this weekend.

And by "we," I am, of course referring to the 20-person cast of "Rock of Ages," Broadways biggest celebration of the music of the 80s. The show stages March 7, 8, 14 and 15.

Directed by Michael Thomas with music direction by Kelley Knowlton, "Rock of Ages" tells the story of one of the Sunset Strips last epic venues, a place where the legendary "Stacee Jaxx" returns to the stage and rock-n-roll dreamers line up to turn their fantasies into reality.

"It's what's called a jukebox musical, it takes a bunch of music from a certain era and writes a story around it," said Scott Smith, who plays Stacee Jaxx. "This particular show is centered around the era of hair metal, debauchery, hedonism, drugs - you know, all the stuff that makes life worth living."

The way Smith tells it, "Rock of Ages" is a typical boy-meets-girl story. In 1987, an aspiring rocker named Drew Boley works as a busboy in the Hollywood bar/club called the Bourbon Room, owned by Dennis Dupree and assisted by Lonny.

He falls instantly for a girl, Sherrie Christian, who just arrived from Kansas hoping to make it big.

"Meanwhile, Stacee Jaxx is just a tool," Smith said. "He has tasted success as a rock star, but he's past his prime trying to hold on to it as hard as he can. He's manipulative and drunk and just totally self-obsessed."

Playing Lonny is AaronWiessing, a newcomer to the Renaissance stage. Serving as the narrator, Lonny frequently breaks the "fourth wall" to address the audience directly.

"A lot of these songs don't quite mesh together very well to make a story, so Lonny is there to fill in that gap," Wiessing said.

Lonny also plays right-hand-man to Dennis Dupree, played by Colton Penwell.

"He's a stoner intellect kind of guy," Penwell said of his character. "His claim to fame was a power rock trio back in the day, but he thinks he's this rockstar."

Additional cast members for "Rock of Ages" include Ryan Shreve, Matti-Lynn Chrisman, Maddie Penwell, Leiah Lewis, Joe Ball, Beau Roberts, George Swarn, Jake Riley, Jenna Krivosh, Emily Rose Bare, Katie Harrigan, Jessica Miller, Bryce Dials, Nykera Gardner, Hope York, Chantel Ross, and Ross Pruettmiller.

The production of Rock of Ages will also include live music by the band "The RENegades" featuring Kelly Knowlton, Zachary Chrisman, David Baer, Christopher Thompson, and Matt Chrisman.

The band helps bring to life songs from Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Steve Perry, Poison and Europe, among other well-known rock bands.

"The songs are difficult to sing well because they're all so high - that was the thing about the music, you had to be able to sing up there, and it's very difficult to do that, especially when I'm a baritone," Smith said. "But I grew up with this music, it's so much fun to sing."

Tickets for "Rock of Ages" start at $15 and are on sale now at RenTickets.org, at the Renaissance Box Office or via phone at (419) 522-2726.

"It's a two-for-one, you get a kick-ass, hilarious musical but it's like coming to a rock concert, too," Penwell said. "You're going to be singing along."

This story is brought to you in part by the Renaissance Theatre. For more information on upcoming shows, visit http://www.rentickets.org.

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'Rock of Ages' brings the 80s back to the Renaissance - Richland Source