Rock of Ages: Emily Padgett to play 'Sherrie'

Emily Padgett will take over the role of 'Sherrie' in the Broadway musical, Rock of Ages from 15 Mar 2010, and beginning Monday, March 15, 2010 and Derek St. Pierre ("Franz") and Katie Webber ("Waitress #1") will join the cast on 22 Mar 2010.

After having understudied the role since 16 Nov 2009 and performing nightly as 'Waitress #1,' Padgett will star opposite Tony Award nominee Constantine Maroulis. She takes over the role from Kerry Butler, who will play her final performance on 13 Mar 2010. Tom Lenk will play his final performance as 'Franz' on 21 March 2010.

Emily Padgett recently starred as 'Sandy' in the National Tour of 'Grease' with Taylor Hicks. Her previous Broadway credits include 'Legally Blonde The Musical' and 'Grease.'

Derek St. Pierre makes his Broadway debut. Previous credits include MUNY's 'Camelot' and '42nd Street.'

Katie Webber comes directly from the original Broadway company of 'Memphis.' Other credits include Broadway's 'Wicked,' Jerry Mitchell's 'Peepshow' (Goldie), and the film version of 'Rent.'

Rock of Ages opened at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on 7 Apr 2009, following previews from 17 Mar, where it is currently selling ticets through to 25 Apr 2010.

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 currently features Constantine Maroulis (Drew), Kerry Butler (Sherrie), James Carpinello, Adam Dannheisser, Mitchell Jarvis, Michele Mais, Lauren Molina, Paul Schoeffler, Jenifer Foote, Ericka Hunter, Michael Minarik, Geoff Packard, Angel Reed, Matthew Stocke, Becca Tobin, Katherine Tokarz, Andre Ward and Jeremy Woodard.

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.