Rock of Ages: Jay Klaitz joins cast as 'Lonny'

Jay Klaitz, who starred as 'The Bellhop' in the recent Broadway revival 'Lend Me a Tenor,' jpins the cast of the Broadway musicalRock of Ages on 6 Sep 2010, assuming the role of 'Lonny' from Mitchell Jarvis.

Original cast member Mitchell Jarvis, who originated the role of 'Lonny,' now performs the role of 'Stacee Jazz' which had been played by James Carpinello.

Rock of Ages now stars *Constantine Maroulis (Drew), Emily Padgett (Sherrie), Mitchell Jarvis (Stacee Jaxx), Adam Dannheisser (Dennis), Jay Klaitz (Lonny), Michele Mais (Justice), Josephine Rose Roberts (Regina), Paul Schoeffler (Hertz), Derek St. Pierre (Franz), Jenifer Foote, Ericka Hunter, Michael Minarik, Geoff Packard, Angel Reed, Matthew Stocke, Becca Tobin, Katherine Tokarz, Andre Ward and Jeremy Woodard.
*Joey Taranto assumes the role of 'Drew' on 10 Sep 2010.

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 2 Jan 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.

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.