Rock of Ages: Genson Blimline plays Lonny

Genson Blimline will temporarily take over the role of 'Lonny' from 19 Dec 2011 to 19 Feb 2012, in the Broadway musical Rock of Ages.

Mitchell Jarvis, who has starred in Rock of Ages since it opened on Broadway in 2009 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre (it now plays at the Helen Hayes Theatre), is taking a leave of absence from the show to take part in the Alley Theatre production of 'The Toxic Avenger' in Houston, Texas. Jarvis is scheduled to return to the show on 20 Feb 2012.

Blimline made his Broadway debut in the original cast of Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific' at the Lincoln Center's Vivian Beaumont Theatre. He has appeared in national tours of 'South Pacific' (Stewpot), 'A Chorus Line' (Al DeLuca), 'Smokey Joe's Cafe' (Michael), 'Grease' (Teen Angel) and 'Footloose' (Chuck Cranston).

Rock of Ages now features Adam Dannheisser (Dennis), Genson Blimline (Lonny), Michele Mais (Justice), Paul Schoeffler (Hertz), Emily Padgett (Sherrie), Jeremy Woodard (Stacee Jaxx), Cody Scott Lancaster (Franz), Josephine Rose Roberts (Regina) and Dan Domenech (Drew).

The five-time Tony Award nominated musical opened on Broadway on 7 Apr 2009 at the the Brooks Atkinson, where it previwed from 17 Mar 2009. The show played its final performance at the Brooks Atkinson on 9 Jan 2011, it then resumed performances at Broadway's Helen Hayes Theatre on 24 Mar 2011, where it is currently booking through to 27 May 2012.

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.

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.