Rock of Ages

Award Nominated Broadway Show set to hit Johannesburg.

From producer Jaco van Rensburg of VR Theatrical comes the high energy, sing-along, dancing in the aisle, feel good smash hit musical stage production of the year: Rock of Ages. Live at Gold Reef City’s Lyric Theatre from Friday, 17 November until Sunday, 10 December 2017, Rock of Ages is the multi Tony award-nominated Broadway musical written by Chris D’Arienzo… even better than the movie written by Hollywood!

“Rock of Ages is like a time machine. If you were young (or younger…) in the 80s, this show will take you on a journey back to that era and it is guaranteed to make you laugh! It is jam-packed with great tunes, amazing effects and a star-studded all-South African cast!” says van Rensburg. “Think shoulder pads, lycra, lots of stone-washed denim, tight leather pants, bright colours, permed hair and mullets…and you’re one step closer to defining the essence of the show.”

Taking audiences all the way back to 1987, to the fabled West Hollywood club, the Bourbon Room, Rock of Ages plays off in this seedy, sordid, vibrant heart of the Sunset Strip. The music venue has seen better days, but because it is run by chilled-out former rock impresario Dennis Dupree, and tended to by Dennis’s mischievous assistant, Lonny, it is the epitome of rock and roll.

When the bright-eyed young hopeful Sherrie Christian, a small-town girl who wants to make it as an actress, arrives in town, she bumps into Drew, a Bourbon Room busboy with dreams of rock and roll stardom. Love-struck Drew convinces Dennis to hire Sherrie, and the stage seems set for their romance. But when the Mayor of West Hollywood, persuaded by a couple of scheming German real estate developers, announces his intention to demolish the Bourbon Room and the entire gritty Sunset Strip, the stakes are raised.

Starring characters like Drew (Josh Ansley), Sherrie (Claire Taylor), Lonny (Zak Hendrikz), Dennis Dupree (Craig Urbani), Stacee Jaxx (Andrew Webster), Regina (Natasha van der Merwe), and Justice (Mpumelelo Mayiyane), Rock of Ages features an impressive set list of 28 songs, which will be performed by a live band, and led by Musical Director, Wessel Odendaal.

Needing no real introduction, runner-up of The Voice SA Season 2 and Rock of Ages male lead, Josh Ansley, discovered his passion for performing in his last year of high school when he landed the role of Kenickie in the school’s production of Grease. Shortly afterwards, he landed a part in the Harare production of Jesus Christ Super Star, followed by a gig in Zimbabwe’s very own pop boy band, 5Star. Josh has since appeared in various musical theatre productions, sung with numerous rock bands, opera companies, improvisational comedy shows and even recently starred in an Independent Short Film which garnered him a nomination for his portrayal of a United States Marine.

Rock of Ages female lead, Claire Taylor, has performed in theatres from Singapore and China to New Zealand and Hong Kong, has worked with an array of international directors and choreographers, and received a Fleur Du Cap Nomination for Best Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Sally Bowles in the Fugard Theatre’s production of Cabaret. Claire was recently seen in the South African national touring production of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. Other theatre credits include West Side Story, The Sound of Music, Sunset Boulevard, Dirty Dancing and Urinetown: The Musical.

Zak Hendrikz is a multi-talented performer and creator, who has worked under the umbrella of numerous companies as choreographer, dancer, singer and actor. Apart from various film and TV credits, Hedrikz’s recent theatre credits include Liefling – Die Musical, Starlight Express, The Rocky Horror Show, Grease and Little Shop of Horrors, which earned him a Naledi Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

One of South Africa’s veterans of the stage, Craig Urbani has had an international career spanning more than three decades. After initial work in South Africa, Craig moved to London’s West End where he performed leading roles in musicals for over ten years, most notably Buddy in The Buddy Holly Story and Trevor Graydon in Thoroughly Modern Millie, and two Royal Variety performances. He also performed alongside Sir Cliff Richard at the London Palladium and for Sir Paul McCartney at Buddy Holly Week in London. Other theatre credits include The Rocky Horror Show, Hair, Fame, Grease, Contact (Laurence Olivier Award nominee), and Annie, among others.

“Rock of Ages is everything and more that you would expect from a pure, unadulterated rock ‘n roll musical production,” says Gareth Kaschula, Marketing Manager for Gold Reef City. “Under the expert guidance and direction of Jaco and his acclaimed team, accompanied by some of this country’s biggest and purest talent, the entire production is a feast for the young and wild at heart’s senses. Audiences can expect to be blown away by the vocal prowess of the cast as they belt out some of the anthems many of us grew up on, all masterfully interwoven into an intricate, laugh-a-minute storyline that will take you back to yesteryear.”

Rock of Ages

Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City

Tuesdays to Fridays at 20:00

Saturdays, 15:00 and 20:00

Sundays at 15:00

Ticket Prices range between R160 and R300.

Book through goldreefcity.co.za, Gold Reef City Box Office, and Computicket.

Warning: This show will contain scenes of Rock ‘n’ Roll debauchery – PG advised.

 

GROUP AND CORPORATE BOOKINGS – DISCOUNT OFFER:

Groups of 20 or more will receive a 10% discount off the ticket price – applicable to all price categories.

Group bookings will only be available at the Gold Reef City Box Office.

 HOSPITALITY PACKAGES – includes a show ticket, snack box, and drinks voucher

From R224 per person for bookings of 10 – 29 people

From R216 per person for bookings of 30 – 49 people

From R208 per person for bookings of 50 – 99 people

From R200 per person for bookings of 100 or more

TSOGO SUN REWARDS CARD – DISCOUNT OFFER:

10% off: Tsogo Sun Gold Rewards Card

15% off: Tsogo Sun Platinum Rewards Card

20% off: Tsogo Sun Black Rewards Card