ROCK OF AGES by Chris D’Arienzo, directed by Kristin Hanggi, with Yvan Pedneault, Elicia MacKenzie, David W. Keeley and Aaron Walpole. Presented by Mirvish Productions at the Royal Alexandra (260 King West). In previews, opens Tuesday (May 11) and runs indefinitely, Tuesday-?Saturday 8 pm, Sunday 7 pm, matinees Saturday-?Sunday 2 pm. $28-?$99. 416-?872-?1212. See listing.
In a few months, elicia macken-zie has gone from raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens to big hair and cranked guitar solos.[rssbreak]
The Sound Of Music lead and winner of the CBC’s 2008 talent search How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? is starring in Rock Of Ages, the tongue-in-cheek musical celebration of 80s stadium rock that opens this week.
She welcomed the change.
“I just finished playing a nun, so I had to get in touch with my sexy side,” says MacKenzie about her role as Sherrie, an aspiring actor who falls in with a sleazy rocker crowd on L.A.’s infamous Sunset Strip.
“I took pole dancing classes at Flirty Girl Fitness,” she explains, about getting into character.
The Sound Of Music rested squarely on her dirndl-covered shoulders. Rock Of Ages is a different beast.
“It’s satire and party music,” she says. “Still challenging, but also lots of fun.”
That said, she’s quick to explain that she feels a deeper connection to this role.
“Not too long ago I was a struggling actress, which was very challenging and stressful, so I really understand where my character in this show is coming from.”
At its core, Rock Of Ages playfully basks in the semi-ironic bombast of 80s hair metal anthems championed by Styx, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Steve Perry, Poison, Asia and Journey have been adapted by composer Ethan Popp (Tarzan) to score the action and rouse hazy memories of bygone party nights.
“People love it when music takes them back in time, and they love to hear songs they know with something new added to the mix,” says producer Janet Billig Rich on the phone from L.A.
As the former manager of Nirvana, Hole, the Breeders and Dinosaur Jr., Billig Rich knows plenty about the ups and downs of rock ‘n’ roll life.
She says the jukebox structure of Rock Of Ages (a recent trend in musicals, as in Mamma Mia!, We Will Rock You and Jersey Boys) was no guarantee of success.
“Maybe it’s a little easier to get people to come out if the songs are familiar, but there are jukebox musicals that work and others that suck. There’s no formula.”
Rock Of Ages has already proved a hit with critics, audiences and even the 80s rockers lampooned in the show.
“Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon came to see the show,” says Billig Rich. “He says he can’t play Can’t Fight This Feeling live without getting our version of it stuck in his head and laughing.”
Rock Of Ages, she says, is about having fun and not taking things too seriously.
“Eighties rock bands like Poison or Night Ranger or Whitesnake were actually really important to our cultural landscape,” she says. “So even if the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame isn’t going to honour their contributions, we will.”
Interview Clips
Producer Janet Billig Rich on how the idea for Rock Of Ages was born
On why there are no Def Leopard songs in Rock Of Ages, despite the fact that the title is a reference to a famous Def Leopard song.
On if she sees a 90s grunge jukebox musical happening in the future. (Billig Rich worked work with numerous bands from 90s grunge like Nirvana, Hole, and Dinosaur Jr.)
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