Rock of Ages announces cast for reopening

The Broadway musical Rock of Ages has announced its full cast for when the show resumes performances at the Helen Hayes Theatre on 24 Mar 2011.

When the show re-opens it will feature returning original Broadway cast members Adam Dannheisser as 'Dennis,' Mitchell Jarvis as 'Lonny,' Michele Mais as 'Justice,' Paul Schoeffler as 'Hertz'; first national tour cast members Rebecca Faulkenberry as 'Sherrie' and MiG Ayesa as 'Stacee Jaxx,' original Toronto cast members Cody Scott Lancaster as 'Franz' and Josephine Rose Roberts as 'Regina.' (who also performed on Broadway).

The lead role of 'Drew' will be played by Dan Domenech, in his Broadway debut. Domenech understudied the role in the show's first national tour.

The cast will also feature Tessa Alves (original Toronto cast member), Emily Williams (original Toronto cast member), Ericka Hunter (original Broadway cast member), Jeremy Woodard (original Broadway cast member), Andre Ward (original Broadway cast member), Jenifer Foote (recent Broadway cast member), Cassie Silva (recent Broadway cast member), Tony LePage (original Toronto cast member) and Michael Minarik (original Broadway cast member).

The five-time Tony Award nominated musical played its final performance at The Brooks Atkinson Theatre on 9 Jan 2011, where it opened on 7 Apr 2009, following pereviews from 17 Mar 2009. The decision to move the show from the Brooks Atkinson Theatre to the smaller Helen Hayes Theatre was made by the producer's for commercial reasons.

The Helen Hayes Theatre is currently home to the limited engagement of 'Colin Quinn: Long Story Short," which is playing through to 5 Mar 2011.

Rock of Ages opened at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre to mixed reviews: "a seriously silly, absurdly enjoyable arena-rock musical" (New York Times), "an irresistible, offbeat trip of a show that hits all the right notes." (NY1); "cheesy exercise in rock nostalgia" (Hollywood Reporter); "a somewhat glib nostalgia trip" (NewsDay).

In 1987 on the Sunset Strip, a small town girl met a big city rocker and in LA's most famous rock club, they fell in love to the greatest songs of the '80s. It's Rock of Ages, an arena-rock love story told through the mind-blowing, face-melting hits of Journey, Bon Jovi, Foreigner and many more.

The show is written by Chris D'Arienzo, directed by Kristin Hanggi and choreographed by Kelly Devine (Jersey Boys - Associate Choreographer).

Scenic design is by Beowulf Boritt, costume design is by Gregory Gale, lighting design is by Jason Lyons (The Threepenny Opera) and sound design is by Peter Hylenski.

The off Broadway engagement of Rock of Ages opened on 16 Oct 2008 at New World Stages and played its final performance on 4 Jan 2009 after 17 preview and 93 regular performances. The show made its world premiere in Los Angeles at The Vanguard for a limited 4-week run and was extended to 7 weeks by popular demand.

Rock of Ages is produced on Broadway by Matthew Weaver, Carl Levin, Jeff Davis, Barry Habib, Scott Prisand, and Corner Store Fund I, in association with Janet Billig Rich, Hillary Weaver, Toni Habib, Stefany & Simon Bergson, Charles Rolecek, Susanne Brook, Israel Wolfson, Max Gottlieb, Jennifer Maloney and Prospect Pictures.