Review: ROCK OF AGES at San Diego Musical Theatre

San Diego Musical Theatre’s Rock of Ages is a big, loud, delightfully ridiculous blast of ’80s hair-band camp. It knows exactly what it is, and, thankfully, director Jonathan Sangster does too. The result is an incredibly strong production filled with talented performers, big vocals, energetic choreography, a live band, and enough rock ’n’ roll to make the audience feel like they have accidentally wandered onto the Sunset Strip in 1987.

Set near the end of the 1980s, Rock of Ages follows Drew (Aaron Gibbs), an aspiring rock star hoping for his big break while falling for Sherrie (Lizzy Sheck), a small-town girl who arrives in Hollywood fresh off the bus from Kansas with stars in her eyes. Naturally, things get complicated when feelings, and rock stars, get in the way.

Meanwhile, German developers Hertz (Steve Gouveia) and Franz (Jake Bradford) want to turn the legendary Sunset Strip into a safe, sanitized capitalist strip mall. With a Foot Locker! When the mayor (Dacara Seward) seems easily swayed to their side, her political aide turned protester Regina (Jasmine January) vows to fight for her neighborhood, the Bourbon Room, and the rock ’n’ roll lifestyle that comes with it. Can Drew, Sherrie, and their friends save the Strip—and themselves? Luckily, they have songs by Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake, and plenty of other ’80s rock legends to help them along.

Gibbs and Sheck are charming as Drew and Sherrie, with strong voices that shine in both their solos and duets. They make the central romance easy to root for, even when the plot occasionally seems to exist primarily to keep them apart and get everyone to the next iconic rock song.

Zane Camacho is delightful as Lonny, serving as the show’s guide, commentator, and frequent breaker of the fourth wall. His crowd work is funny and spontaneous, and he knows exactly how far to push the character’s ridiculousness. Tim Roberts is equally fun as Dennis Dupree, bringing an easygoing comedic presence and great chemistry with Camacho.

Michael Pinning has a lot of fun as the over-the-top Lothario rocker Stacee Jaxx, while January brings passion and humor to Regina. Gouveia and Bradford clearly have a great time as father-and-son developers Hertz and Franz, while Seward makes an impression in multiple roles, including a particularly sleazy record executive. Amber St. James brings humor as the tough, supportive, and secretly tender Justice, who runs the strip club near the Bourbon Room, while wearing a pair of heels that are approximately sky-high.

The talented ensemble includes Boston Antunez, Gabriela Niaves, Julianne Riddle, Luke H. Jacobs, Karina Johnson,  Megan Kuramoto-Tafolla, Sophia LaRosh, Tamara Rodriguez, Bruno A. Satalino, and Tommy Tran.

Sangster clearly knew exactly what he wanted this show to be and assembled the cast, creative team, and musicians to make it happen. His direction keeps the energy high and embraces the gleefully inappropriate humor. This show wants everyone to have a good time, and it succeeds. Also, love the choice to have the cast and crew credits rolling across the tv screen at curtain call. This is a strong PG-13+  show, at least in terms of language, jokes, references, and costumes that occasionally leave very little to the imagination. 

The choreography, by Jenna Ingrassia-Knox, is inspired by the ’80s but filtered through a musical theatre lens; it is energetic, playful, and uses every inch of the stage. 

Mathys Herbert’s scenic design and Sammy Webster’s lighting give the stage impressive depth and keep the visual world interesting throughout the evening. Webster shifts from full-on rock concert lighting one moment to a colorful palette with playful silhouettes around the Hollywood sign the next.

Faith A. J. Steenbergen’s costumes are colorful, sexy, funny, committed to the era, and, in some cases, barely there. The smaller details, including the rhinestone trim on Sherrie’s jacket, make the costumes even more fun.

Evan Eason's sound design ensures every seat can hear the vocals and music, while subwoofers beneath the seats occasionally let the audience literally feel the music under their feet.

The live band? Absolutely essential. The power of a live band cannot be underestimated in a show built around iconic rock songs. Led by music director Richard Dueñez Morrison and featuring Nikko Nobleza, Daniel Castro, Robert Johnson, and Chuck Elledge, the musicians are excellent. Nobleza, who opens and closes the show with a guitar solo, is fantastic.

With energetic choreography, strong technical design, and a cast that appears to be having as much fun as the audience, Rock of Ages delivers exactly what it promises.

To quote Camacho's character Lonny: “This sh*t is fun.”

How To Get Tickets

Rock of Ages is playing at San Diego Musical Theatre through September 13th.  For showtime and ticket information, go to sdmt.org

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