'Rock of Ages' by the Warner Stage Company - My Review

‘Rock of Ages’ blew on to the main stage at the Warner Theatre last night to a packed house. Billed above the title as “the one night stand you will always remember,” the Warner has the honor of being the first community theater in New England to bring this epic production to the stage. I raved about the touring company production that I saw at Waterbury’s Palace Theater, but I will certainly remember this opening night performance as an ‘event’ that I enjoyed even more because I knew so many of the community theatre veterans involved

Sharon A. Wilcox looked very 80s herself as she introduced the show on opening night. A self-admitted 80s baby, Ms. Wilcox has been waiting a long time to direct and choreograph this show (that she saw on Broadway a whopping ten times) and she encouraged the audience to sing, clap and dance along. She didn’t have to ask me twice, and I waving the faux lighter I found under my seat made it even more real. This truly was “an epic production of big dreams, big egos and even bigger hair” that “doesn’t need a complex plot to make you feel--it just needs characters.

The ‘ROA’ experience began even before the show did with loud 80s music and an authentic and busy set with neon and Christmas lights. Pumped up lighting by Andrew Smith included the house at times, and there were projections as well. The big crowd was as loud as the music and it was appropriate. While the members of ‘Arsenal’ made up an exciting band, there were times in the first act that they drowned out the dialog, or at least made it difficult to understand. Otherwise the sound was well-balanced and loud, of course. I so wanted to join the backstage singers Anne DeMichiel, Martha Irving, and Lana Peck.

CLICK HERE TO READ MY ENTIRE REVIEW ON ONSTAGE

Don’t miss this loud trip through the 80s with a stellar cast that ROCKS in every way. ‘Rock of Ages’ runs at the Warner through Feb. 14.

Photo Credit: Mandi Martini ©2016 The Warner Theatre