REVIEW

Rock the stages!

Come and ‘feel the noize’ with high-energy musical

Posted

On Saturday, Jan. 18, the CM Performing Arts Center in Oakdale held opening night for “Rock of Ages” and the audience of ‘80s music lovers were enthralled, clapping along with rebellion anthems like “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “Don’t Stop Believin.’”

Director Keith Jones’s vision for the legendary Los Angeles bar fighting city hall captured all the elements and spirit of the powerful and popular songs featured in the musical through an equal blend of grit and glamour, both with scenic designer John Mazzarella’s glorious dive bar and spectacular vocals and intoxicating choreography from the cast.

The waitresses, played by Leah Cyran, Camilla Montoya, Jennifer Morales and Olivia Swanson, were a constant feature on the stage and were a wonder to watch, especially dressed like skanky evil stepsisters in different fluorescent colors. Minto’s choreography was precise, but also burgeoning with command of the audience’s eyes as the foursome created a backdrop of Tawny Kitaen.

Dennis, played by James O’Connor (who showed his amazing versatility playing an aging hippie with one shot of acid left somewhere in his muscle reserves after just playing the wholesome narrator in December’s “A Christmas Story”), and Lonny, played by Anthony Arpino, were the core of the story.

When the two sang “Can’t Fight this Feeling,” they managed to keep the comedy intact as well as the heartwarming relationship between the two characters.

Drew, played by Jason Steven Kopp, and Sherrie, played by Danielle Pafundi, balanced each other vocally, with Pafundi providing a grounding for Kopp’s high notes.

Rich Giordano as Stacee Jaxx played the frontman like Tommy Lee Jones if he was a closet gamer. Giordano’s comedic moments were a delight and the wanting in his voice in his rendition of “I Want to Know What Love Is” created a character that kept the audience guessing and intrigued.

Sydnee LaBuda as Regina (it’s not pronounced the way you think. Remember the “Mulva” episode in “Seinfeld”) was bursting with frenetic energy as the activist and mindful of the tiniest moments, like clapping her hands gingerly in a scene where she dons double arm casts.

Tiara Solarzano as the corrupt mayor of Los Angeles was gracious in her scenes with Regina, allowing for a needed gravitas in the soapy story and ironically capturing that in the lighthearted “We Built This City.”

Ayana Jane as the business-minded but caring madame Justice Charlier who takes in Sherrie had a commanding stage presence with the full, powerful voice to confirm why she is in charge.

In a standout role, Will Logan as the nervous (and acrobatic) Franz stole the show with his outlandish character work and physical comedy. Playing opposite the serious-minded Hertz (played by Paul Phillips), the father-son sensitivities provided an extra layer of humor in a cast of big personalities and also reinforced the theme of the show, where finding the dream that makes you happy might mean challenging the ones who love you most.

Matthew W. Surico, who led the “Rock of Ages” band that was onstage in a space as intimate as you’d find in CBGB, was the powerhouse of this production, displaying his talent whilst harnessing the abilities of Rob Curry (bass), Bill Dwyer (drums), and Tomas Bradbard (guitar) to stay true and even elevate the mountain of classic songs they played throughout the night. 

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