Theater Review: Rock of Ages Teen Edition by Simsbury Summer Theatre

This weekend Simsbury Summer Theatre for Youth rocked out for their summer production of “Rock of Ages Teen Edition.” The group of teens worked together for only six weeks to launch this production that was performed at The Ethel Walker School in Simsbury for one weekend only.

Melissa Richards, the president of the SSTfY Board, wrote that this summer proved to be one of their most challenging ever. “From not knowing where we would be able to rehearse, perform, or build our set, to changing our show at the last minute, we hit roadblocks at nearly every step along the way.” She worried that this show would be either the worst or the best show that they had ever done. While this was the first time that I have attended a Simsbury Summer Theatre production, I would guess that “Rock of Ages” was certainly one of their best.

This summer brought more first time students to the program than they have seen in quite a long time and it was obvious that the entire cast brought considerable energy and talent to this extremely fun show. Audiences got to enjoy watching a cast composed of 2000’s teens become a convincing group of 1980’s rockers.

Set in 1980s Hollywood, the party is raging with Aqua Net in the air, lots of lycra and heavy metal rock playing in one of the last of the Sunset Strip’s legendary venues. An aspiring rock star/bar worker longs to take the stage, as well as a small-town girl Sherri with stars in her eyes. German developers sweep into town with plans to turn the fabled Strip into just another strip mall. The long list of music from hit bands like Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister and Whitesnake is a feast for the ears and I knew every one of them.

The Summer Theatre for Youth President’s Note in the printed program included a hope that the show would bring a bit of nostalgia to attendees and “that you will sing along.” Given that permission, some audience members did just that…especially me.

David Addis, who directed “Mamma Mia!” last year, returned to direct this show and made very good use of the space in the school auditorium, including the level about the audience. The chorus entering in red cassock choir robes from the audience was very effective. Addis holds a Performing Arts Management degree from the Hartt School, directed “A Charles Dickens Christmas” at Playhouse on Park. Emmalee Richards, an eight year alum of the program, was the assistant director.

The cast was made up of some wonderfully talented teen performers that worked very hard in the very warm performance space.

Micah Richards played the high energy Lonny Barnett, a quasi narrator who also is part of the action. Richards nailed the comedy in this fun role. Tyler Coleman sang really well in the role of Drew Boley, the nice guy rocker with big dreams. Jonah Church took on (and did well with) the role of Stacee Jaxx, the self absorbed rock star who is hated by the members of his band and the comedic villain in the show.

Natalie Bourque was perfectly cast in the role of small town girl Sherrie Christian, with her strong singing voice and acting ability. Caitlin Wild gave a required strong performance as Anita Bath, the Mayor’s aide and protest leader called Regina in the adult version. Summer Gidman played Justice Charlier, the smart and nurturing owner of a dance club, and she showed off her great singing voice in the role.

Madeleine Tucker also got to use her fine voice as the overbearing German real estate developer Hilda Klineman, with Caelyn Laiuppa as her son Franz (for the author has authorized gender blind casting for the teen edition.)

Cedar Kulynych-Griffith did well with the big presence of Dennis Dupree, the owner of the Bourbon Room who has a bromance with Lonny. Jared Gatmaitian played the sleazy mayor and Meilin Lemis played Drew’s agent Ja’Keith Gill. Will Reynolds, the dance captain, made a great Joey Primo.

Waitresses #1, #2 and #3 (yes, the high school version has three) were portrayed by Lily Collies, Lily Richards and Ivee Caffee respectively and Lorelai Vasquez and Noah Antidormi were Sherrie’s parents. The petite Eden Lloyd played Constance Sack and Austin Espinoza was an Orion Pictures producer.

Rockers, protesters and riot police were played by ensemble members Arlo Groeschner, Caoilfhionn Carr, Cynthia Butler, Eli Trouern-Trend, Joey Trouern-Trend, Mya Singleton, Natalie Civitillo, Roxy McCrea-Dastur and Zach Fair.

Adrian A Durlester, currently the Auditorium Technical Director for the Simsbury Public Schools, was in charge of the set and lighting design, as well as technical direction. With a lot on his plate, I was impressed with the professional look and sound of everything about the production. I loved the lighting behind the band.

Marc Sokolson returned to this program for the fourth year to serve as musical director and conductor of the onstage orchestra. Sokolson, who recently graduated from UConn, has over 25 productions under his belt. He is music directing a production of “Rent” with White Rabbit Theatre. The amazingly tight orchestra included Sokolson on keyboard, Nick Ford on guitar 2, Zeb Mrowka on bass, Skyler Bobinski on drums and my Clio “CJ” Janis, associate music director (pictured above tuning up before the final show,) slaying guitar 1 and a few lines.

Choreographer Rachel Armstrong is also working on her fourth Simsbury show this summer and the dancers did very well with her choreography with the help of Assistant Choreographer Travis Reid.

Kudos to the talented singing actors in the production and the dedicated adults who worked with them. I had a rockin’ time at “Rock of Ages.”

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She is also a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column IN THE WINGS and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.
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