The music of the 1980s takes center stage at the Croswell Opera House starting Friday, October 19, with the musical “Rock of Ages.”
“Rock of Ages,” which was first performed 14 years ago in Los Angeles, features the music of artists like Styx, Whitesnake, Twisted Sister, Pat Benatar, REO Speedwagon, and others. The Broadway production ran from 2009 to 2015.
“It’s a celebration of great music, a fun lifestyle, and the great music of the ‘80s,” said Jere Righter, the Croswell’s artistic director. “And even though it feels like a rock concert, there’s a story too.”
The show follows Drew Boley, an aspiring rocker working as a busboy in a seedy club on the Sunset Strip called the Bourbon Room, and Sherrie Christian, a naive young woman who travels from Kansas to Los Angeles with dreams of becoming an actress. Jordan Khalaf of Canton plays Drew and Jordan Golomb of Adrian plays Sherrie.
Eric Parker of Adrian plays Lonny Barnett, the club’s assistant manager who also serves as the show’s narrator. Jordan Hayes-Devloo plays club owner Dennis Dupree.
William McCloskey of Monroe plays the mayor, who is convinced by a pair of German developers, played by John Bacarella of Monroe and Kris Haymon of Adrian, to begin targeting clubs like the Bourbon Room for demolition. Hannah Sparrow of Ypsilanti plays city planner Regina McKaig, with Dan Clair of Canton as rock star Stacee Jaxx and Natasha Ricketts of Adrian as Justice, the owner of a nearby strip club.
Rounding out the cast are Sheli Allen, Branden Burleson, Meg Grzeszczak, Johanna Hanley, Nichole Hood, Gary Lundy, Lori MacDonald, Julia Sanow and Ja’Vaughn White, all of Adrian; Tessa Decker of Lambertville; and Zoe Bagdon, Lavina Flores, Ryon Robinson Heath and Tama Lunsford, all of Tecumseh.
The show is directed by Mark DiPietro, with music direction by Dave Rains and choreography by Jessica Adams-Briggs.
“Rock of Ages” runs the weekends of Oct. 18-20 and Oct. 25-27, with Friday and Saturday performances at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday performances at 2:30 p.m., plus an additional matinee on the second Saturday.
Tickets run from $20 to $40 and are available online at croswell.org or by calling 517-264-7469.
The Croswell, a 640-seat historic theater, is at 129 E. Maumee St. in downtown Adrian.