Carnegie Theatre to Open 2016-17 Season with ROCK OF AGES

The Carnegie patrons can expect "Nothin' But a Good Time" with the 2016-17 Theatre Season opener, ROCK OF AGES. The classic boy meets girl tale features classic 80s hair band hits and runs weekends August 13-28, 2016.

Directed by Lisa Bodollo and presented by The Carnegie and Northern Kentucky University's Commonwealth Theatre Company, ROCK OF AGES tells the story of Drew, an aspiring rock star, and Sherrie, a young woman who just arrived in L.A. to seek fame and fortune as an actress. The two meet at the bar where Drew works and quickly find they have feelings for each other, but the trials and tribulations of the rock and roll lifestyle keep them apart. Drew must decide between his dreams of stardom and the woman he loves as she boards a midnight train going out of town. With hit songs like "Hit Me with Your Best Shot," "Sister Christian," and "We Built This City," the audiences will find it hard not to sing along.

"Rock of Ages is the perfect way to kick off the season. It's a total show stopper that brings tons of energy and fun to the stage from the first notes," said Maggie Perrino, Carnegie Theatre Director. "It's a nostalgic romp with 80s music, 80s fashion, 80s hair, and that 80s dream of stardom, perfect for a fun night out with friends. "

Performances of ROCK OF AGES run weekends August 13 - 28, Friday & Saturday evenings at 7:30pm, Sundays at 3:00pm. Tickets are $28, $25 for Carnegie Members and Enjoy the Arts Members, $21 for students. Subscription packages for the 2016-17 theatre Series are available. Full Subscriptions are $95, $91 for Carnegie Members. Pick Three Subscriptions range from $72-$77 depending on show selection. Tickets and subscriptions can be purchased through The Carnegie Box Office, open Tuesday - Friday 12pm - 5pm, in person or by phone at (859) 957-1940, or online at www.thecarnegie.com. Patrons seeking group or student tickets should call to make arrangements.

The 2016-17 Carnegie Theatre Series is sponsored by the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation.

ROCK OF AGES is presented through special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.

The Carnegie is Northern Kentucky's largest multidisciplinary arts venue providing theatre events, educational programs and art exhibitions to the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati community. The Carnegie facility is home to The Carnegie Galleries, the Otto M. Budig Theatre, and the Eva G. Farris Education Center. More information about The Carnegie is available at www.thecarnegie.com or by calling (859) 491-2030.

ROCK OF AGES Cast and Production Team:

Cast

Sherrie - Ellie Chancellor

Drew - Kelcey Steele

Regina - Heather Hale

Stacee Jaxx - Tyler Kuhlman

Justice - Spring Starr Pillow

Dennis Dupree - Daniel Cooley

Lonny - James Jones

Hertz - Matt Hudson

Franz - Spenser Smith

Joey Primo/Ensemble - Robert Breslin

Mayor/Ja'Keith/Ensemble - Brandon Bentley

Ensemble - Rhys Boatwright

Ensemble/Dance Captain - Madeleine Burgoon

Ensemble - Natalie Bellamy

Ensemble - Sarah Willis

Ensemble - Sophia Dewald

Ensemble - Taylor Reynolds Benner

Ensemble - Jack Manion

Ensemble - Aaron Marshall

Production Team

Director- Lisa Bodollo

Music Director- Jamey Strawn

Choreographer- Roderick Justice

Lisa Bodollo, Director

Lisa Bodollo has directed theatre programs at Mercy High School, CCDS and has been on the faculties of Xavier University, Northern Kentucky University and Mount Saint Joseph University. She has directed for the Cincinnati Fringe Festival, Madcap Puppets, Cincinnati Art Museum and taught at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Uptown Arts Program and has created one of the longest running theatre camps in the City THEATREWORKS. Lisa was named the Acclaim Theatre Educator of the Year and earned a Master Teacher Honor last year. She serves as a committee member on the CCM Prep Department, DePaul Cristo Rey School and MSJ Fine Arts Committee. Lisa is currently teaching the newly developed Theatre Education courses for Xavier University Theatre Department.

Roderick Justice, Choreographer

Roderick is proud to be back for a 15th consecutive season working with the Commonwealth Theatre Company. Roderick is the Producing Artistic Director of The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT), the nation's oldest professional theatre for young audiences. He is an award-winning choreographer, director, costumer, adjudicator, and actor. He is a graduate of NKU, where he obtained his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre Performance. As Artistic Director, he has directed many TCT productions, including DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID, A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS, SNOW WHITE AND THE DANCING DWARFS, SHREK, DISNEY'S ALADDIN, ANNIE, and A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Each summer, Roderick runs the STAR Program, a highly-acclaimed, audition-based, musical theatre intensive for young performers ages 9 to 18. Many of his STAR alums have gone on to great success on Broadway, television, and film. Favorite credits include: SPELLING BEE, LEGALLY BLONDE (LCT Award), CHURCH GIRLS, RUTHLESS, I LOVE A PIANO (Acclaim Award), SANTA'S TOY FACTORY, SEUSSICAL (LCT Award), FOREVER PLAID, URINETOWN (Acclaim Award), JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (CEA Nomination), SPAMALOT (LCT Nomination), JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT (SCPA), MAN OF LAMANCHA (Romania), BURGERTOWN (Chicago), THE ELEPHANT MAN, and THE TOP JOB (Off-Broadway).

Ellie Chancelor, Sherrie

Ellie is a senior BFA Musical Theatre major at Northern Kentucky University. Recently, she was in SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DANCING DWARFS and SHREK JR. with The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati, as well as Rosalind in MOON OVER BUFFALO and Holly in THE WEDDING SINGER at NKU. Other roles include Miss Macintosh in THE SUNSHINE BOYS with the Commonwealth Theatre Company, as well as Mrs. Mayor in SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL at NKU.

Kelcey Steele, Drew

Kelcey Steele is a local actor who is making his Carnegie debut. After graduating from Miami University in 2015 with degrees in Theatre and Public Administration, Kelcey has been a part of many local shows. Favorite roles include: Mark in RENT, Princeton in AVENUE Q, Gabe in NEXT TO NORMAL, Charlie in BRIGADOON, Billy in ANYTHING GOES, the Courier in 1776, and Jack in INTO THE WOODS. In his "free time", Kelcey is a world ranking Irish dancer with the McGing Irish Dancers.

Heather Hale, Regina

Heather Hale, a soprano, is a recent graduate of Northern Kentucky University where she studied applied voice with Dr. Kimberly Gelbwasser. Her most recent roles include Rapunzel in NKU's INTO THE WOODS, Belinda in DIDO AND AENEAS, Suor Genovieffa in SUOR ANGELICA and Nella in GIANNI SCHICCHI which were both performed in the Bulgarian opera circuit, and Lauretta in Bizet's DOCTOR MIRACLE at NKU. She recently played Julie Jordan in CAROUSEL as well as Cinderella in CINDERELLA with NKU's opera workshop. Oratorio work includes the role of Gabriel/Eve, in Haydn's THE CREATION with Varna International Opera Academy. Upcoming roles include chorus member in Mozart's THE ABDUCTION OF THE HAREM with The Kentucky Opera and female ensemble in ELF: THE MUSICAL with The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati.

Matt Hudson, Hertz Klinemann

Matt Hudson began his involvement in theater as an Assistant Stage Manager at The English Theatre in Frankfurt, Germany, his home for almost 20 years. There he worked with professional stage actors from London's West End on several productions including THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, which enjoyed a 9-month run. His favorite roles include Horace Vandergelder in HELLO DOLLY!, Melvin P. Thorpe in THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, Moose in CRAZY FOR YOU, and William Gillette in THE GAME'S AFOOT. Since early 2014, Matt has acted in several short and feature films, winning "Honorable Mention for Best Actor" in the Houston 48-Hour Project short PRODIGAL (2014).

Spenser Smith, Franz Klinemann

Spenser Smith returned this summer to the role of Teen Lincoln in A PIONEER TALE at the Lincoln Amphitheatre to celebrate the bicentennial of the Lincoln family's arrival to Indiana. Favorite roles include Leo Bloom in THE PRODUCERS, Lord Farquaad in SHREK, THE MUSICAL, and Chip Tolentino in THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. Spenser graduated with a BFA in Acting from NKU in 2011 where his favorite roles include Inspector Truscott in LOOT, for which he won an Acclaim Award. During normal business hours, Spenser is the Development Director at Madcap Puppets in Cincinnati.

Spring Starr Pillow, Justice

Spring graduated from Northern Kentucky University with a degree in Musical Theatre Performance and holds Masters Credits from The University of Cincinnati in Education and Counseling. She is currently employed as the music and drama teacher for DePaul Cristo Rey high school and Drama Director for Wyoming Middle School. Previous credits with The Children's Theatre include: Tituba in THE CRUCIBLE and Evil Queen Mary in SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS, The Reporter in LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD, and Mama Rabbit in THE ROCKIN' ADVENTURES OF PETER RABIT. Spring has performed with the Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati in shows including: BREATHE BOOME, AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS, THE LAST SESSION, and ANNE OF GREEN GABLES. Spring has also performed at The Showboat Majestic, The Covedale Center for Performing Arts and with a few bands around town.

Photo Credit: Mikki Schaffner