Rock of Ages musical heading to South Hill Park

Any fans of classic rock from the 1980’s will love nothing more than a night out to see Rock of Ages. Featuring songs from bands such as Bon Jovi, Poison, Europe, Twisted Sister and Journey, this is a production full of fun, heart, and a lot of hair.

EBOS (East Berkshire Operatic Society) is delighted to bring this rocking musical to the stage of The Wilde Theatre at South Hill Park, Bracknell in May.

This jukebox comedy musical, set on the Sunset Strip of West Hollywood, tells the story of the legendary Dupree’s Bourbon Room, which has seen better days and is run by former rock god Dennis Dupree and his assistant Lonny, who serves as the shows’ narrator.

When bright-eyed Sherrie Christian rolls into town, bumping into Drew, a Bourbon Room barback, our tale really starts, and we see their love story begin.

But with the Mayor of West Hollywood looking to enlist some scheming German real estate developers to demolish the strip, Drew, Sherrie, Dennis and Lonny have to enlist the help of everyone they can to save their beloved strip, including rock icon Stacee Jaxx, and protestor Regina Koontz to play their part.

Who can save the Bourbon Room, the young lovers, and the feuding mother and son Germans? Only our ‘dramatic conjurer’ Lonny knows, and our audience will find out!

Originally premiering in Los Angeles in 2005, the original Broadway production from 2009 ran for over 2,300 performances and became the 32nd longest running show of all time on Broadway.

What sets this show apart from many others is the regular breaking of the ‘fourth wall’, with Lonny directly addressing the audience and often forgetting that they are actors in a musical.

Our band will also play a major part of the production, dressed in full metalhead costumes and performing as Stacee Jaxx’s band Arsenal on many occasions throughout the show. A film adaptation of the musical was also produced in 2012, starring Tom Cruise as Stacee Jaxx, Mary J Blige as Justice Charlier and Alec Baldwin as Dennis Dupree, amongst many other major actors.

The audience won’t want to miss this opportunity to sing along to the classic songs from the 1980’s, and with the Friday night being ‘80’s dress up night’ for the audience, with prizes available for the best dressed, this is definitely going to be a rocking night out.

Director James Lole said: “Following the hugely successful professional UK tour, we are delighted to bring Rock of Ages to the stage at the Wilde Theatre.

“From the day we held our auditions last December, I knew that our talented cast will bring you something very special.

“The cast have been rehearsing for the last few months and have had so much fun. Many of them weren’t even born in the 80s however these songs  are so well known it’s impossible not to get caught up in the excess and enjoyment of the time.

“At the heart of our story are Drew and Sherrie both looking for their dreams of stardom to come true and they end up with so much more. As Lonny reminds us, ‘Sometimes the dreams you come in with may not be the dreams you leave with.’

“The production and technical teams have worked so hard to ensure the sights, sounds (and smells) of the era are perfectly recreated. I hope you enjoy the show, and remember…LET’S ROCK!!”

Rock of Ages will be showing at the Wilde Theatre, South Hill Park, Bracknell, from Tuesday, May 13 to Saturday, May 17.

The show will be on at 7.45pm with a 2.30pm matinee showing on Saturday, May 17.

Tickets cost £24.50 and concessions and group rates are available. Ticket prices include a seat levy plus box office booking fee.

Visit www.southhillpark.org.uk or call the Box Office 01344 484 123