Palm Canyon Theatre Announces 'Rock of Ages'

From Palm Canyon Theatre: Set your travel destination not to a place, but to a time… the 80s! When hair was spiked, and rock was glam! Palm Canyon Theatre is being transformed to the Sunset Strip for a live rock show you won’t want to miss – Rock of Ages will run from May 12 – May 21.

PCT’s Rock of Ages cast is full of company favorites including Nicholas Sloan, as Drew, and Jennifer Singer, as Sherrie – the two young dreamers are seeking stardom in the City of Angels, but face many obstacles in the concrete jungle. Jennifer Singer, is originally from Palm Desert, but now performs professionally around the world with Headline Guest Entertainment and Celebrity Cruises. Singer started with PCT in 2001, playing Martha in The Secret Garden. Many roles followed, including Kim in Miss Saigon, Diana Morales in A Chorus Line, and Ado Annie Carnes in Oklahoma! Sloan has performed at PCT since 2011 in such starring roles as Older Tommy in The Who’s Tommy, Jerry in The Full Monty, and Prince Charming in Cinderella.

Other members of this talented cast include Jacob Samples as Lonny, Kelly Peak as Dennis, Robbie Wayne as Stacee Jaxx, Jasmine Shaffer as Justice, Lizzie Schmelling as Regina, Anthony Nannini as Franz, Tom Warrick as Hertz. Ensemble members include Jackie LeBlanc, Allegra Angelo, and Andrea Bellato, who is also directing and choreographing the production. Shafik Wahhab is the show’s assistant director. Donald Kelly will “rock the house” with his musical direction. Sets and lighting designs are by J.W. Layne, co-artistic director of PCT. Derik Shopinski is the show’s costume designer.

Rock of Ages is a rock/jukebox musical, with book by Chris D'Arienzo, built around classic songs from the 1980s. The musical features the music of Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Steve Perry, Poison and Europe among others. During Rock of Ages, performers frequently break the “fourth wall,” directly addressing the audience and seemingly forgetting (or perhaps reminding the audience) that they are actors in a musical. Audiences will love to sing along to songs including “We Built this City,” “The Final Countdown,” “Hit Me with Your Best Shot,” “Sister Christian,” “Oh Sherrie,” “Here I Go Again,” “Don’t Stop Believin’” and many more.

The musical premiered in Los Angeles in 2005. The production ran on Broadway from 2009-2015. Replica productions and touring productions have spanned worldwide. In 2012, Rock of Ages found a home at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, where it ran consecutively until 2016. The show moved to the Rio Hotel and Casino, where it recently ended a yearlong run.

Rock of Ages opens at the Palm Canyon Theatre on Friday, May 12, and runs through Sunday, May 21. Regular show times are 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 7 p.m.on Thursdays. Sunday matinees start at 2 p.m. Tickets are $32-$36. Student tickets are $15, with valid ID; student tickets must be purchased at the Box Office.

For tickets or more information, call the Palm Canyon Theatre Box Office at 760-323-5123 or order online: PalmCanyonTheatre.org. The Palm Canyon Theatre is located at 538 North Palm Canyon Drive, at the corner of Alejo Road and Palm Canyon Drive. Box Office hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Photo by Paul Hayashi