Rock of Ages: Dee Snider to join cast 11 Oct

The producers of the Broadway musical Rock of Ages have announced that frontman for the 80's rock band "Twisted Sister," Dee Snider, will make his Broadway debut in the role of 'Dennis' for an 11-week limited run, from 11 Oct - 24 Dec 2010 at The Brooks Atkinson Theatre. Snider assumes the role of 'Dennis' from original cast member Adam Dannheisser.

While perhaps best known as the lead singer of 80's "Twisted Sister," Dee Snider can also claim credit as the writer of their hits 'I Wanna Rock' and 'We're Not Gonna Take It', both of which are featured in Rock of Ages.

His film acting credits include the cult horror movie classic "StrangeLand," which he also wrote, and VH1's "Warning: Parental Advisory," with Jason Priestley and Mariel Hemingway. Amongst his many television appearances, he starred in CMT's hit reality show "Gone Country" and this summer saw the launch of his own A&E reality show "Growing Up Twisted." Dee has been doing radio in various forms for well over a decade and his nationally syndicated radio show "House of Hair" is heard on more than 200 stations in North America.

Beginning on 19 Oct, 2010, Snider will host post-show "Rock Senate Hearings," which will occur every Tuesday night and feature Q & A's with special guests and ROA stars. Mick Jones, founder of the rock band "Foreigner" and author of the song, 'I Want to Know What Love Is,' which is featured in Rock of Ages, will kick off the "Hearings" with Snider on 19 Oct 2010. Special guests will be announced on ROA's social media sites each week.

Rock of Ages opened at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on 7 Apr 2009, following previews from 17 Mar, where it is currently selling tickets through to 13 Mar 2011.

The production opened 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.

Rock of Ages now features Joey Taranto (Drew ), Emily Padgett (Sherrie), Mitchell Jarvis (Stacee Jaxx), Adam Dannheisser (Dennis), Jay Klaitz (Lonny), Michele Mais (Justice), Josephine Rose Roberts (Regina), Paul Schoeffler (Hertz) and Derek St. Pierre (Franz).

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.