May 20 - June 6, 2015
at Gateway Playhouse

 
   
 

The Long Island Advance
Linda Leuzzi

It’s a coup for The Gateway to present the first regional production of “Rock of Ages,”which closed on Broadway in January as its 27th-longest running show. But to also get Tommy Kessler, the lead guitarist for the rock group Blondie, to reprise his Broadway role as on-stage lead guitarist is quite a feat.

This rock musical debuted the Gateway season Wednesday night with an all-out wild,funny, edgy energy that pulsates with strobe lights, audience interaction, and a story that revolves around songs from the likes of Pat Benatar, Steve Perry, Styx, Bon Jovi and Twisted Sister.

The legendary Bourbon Room, a rock club on Sunset Strip in the 1980s, is in the throes of its last days when drugs, sex and rock and roll were careening, and the Strip is threatened with revitalization. Narrated by Genson Blimline, another “Rock of Ages” Broadway alum who plays Lonny Barnett, he literally swings across the stage on a rope and gets the musical rolling, addressing the audience with hilarious asides. “Say hello to the person next to you. (Pause.) Not the one you’re with.” It’s a lead-in to “Livin in Paradise/Cum on Feel the Noize,” with an energetic ensemble and lithe dancers who kick it out and at other times swirl upside down on poles as the actors use plungers as mic props.

(After the show, check out the “West Side Story” photo in the lobby. Blimline, who played Big Deal, is in there.)

There is a romance. Anthony Festa as Drew Boley, who just wants to play rock music, and Emily Behny as Sherrie Christian, who yearns for acting stardom, meet in the Bourbon Room. Lovestruck, they stumble when it comes to conveying their true feelings. But it’s a lot of fun watching what happens in the interim.

Festa has amazing pipes. He was classically trained, then studied rock and belts out songs like “I Wanna Rock” with fierceness and passion, holding notes with strength and power.

Kelly Felthous as Regina, an aide to the mayor who caves in to developer Hertz Klinemann, the uptight German who wants clean and efficient living, is an adorable, fierce liberal who strives to hold the line and save the city’s energy. “We Built This City,” and “We’re Not Gonna Take It” are her anthems and she struts and stomps in her quest. There’s a sweet, funny attraction between Regina and Franz, Klinemann’s son, played by Michael Lorz. What a treat! He wants to run a pastry/confectionary shop and not march to his father’s demands. Franz is a campy, great standout, but he does break out in a hilarious showdown with his father.

Rob Marnell as Stacee Jaxx is the famous bad rocker who may be able to save the Bourbon Room, but is so skillfully over the top in his self-absorption and shallowness (catch his sort-of demise as a South American singer with a llama as his backup), you can’t hate him. Well, maybe when he disses Sherrie.

Is the show crazy? Yes. But crazy-great. Actors jump out of closets, converse with the audience, give advice about love (Amma Osei as Justice, also from the “Rock of Ages” Broadway cast, nails it when she guides Sherrie), make surprising confessions, and evolves as angels who throw out … angel dust.

 

Newsday Review
Steve Parks

Never mind your taste in classic rock. To me the phrase conjures the '60s British Invasion. But then you can't always get what you want. So when the chance to see Broadway's "Rock of Ages" presented itself, I took the opportunity with a smug sense of a slumming connoisseur.

The glam-metal rock of the 1980s, when MTV was actually about music, doesn't make my personal playlist. But the patina of time -- yes, this rock has aged better than wine coolers -- transforms the trash pop of Journey, Bon Jovi and Styx, et al, into countercultural signposts of the Reagan years.

Long Island is ripe for the first regional reincarnation of this post-hip celebration of what "Rock of Ages" creator Chris D'Arienzo calls "a sexier time" of big hair and big dreams. The Gateway delivers the goods with home-turf charm as if '80s rock were invented here. The musical features songs by artists with local roots "We're Not Gonna Take It" (Twisted Sister), "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" (Pat Benatar).

The reed-thin plot for this jukebox-rock musical, directed by Keith Andrews and featuring Blondie guitarist Tommy Kessler, is the confluence of rocky-road romance and urban-renewal demolition of the Sunset Strip and a rock dive known as The Bourbon Room.

Emily Behny as Sherrie, the Kansas girl in search of Hollywood Oz (think Dorothy with bleach-blond tresses and a micro-miniskirt) meets Drew (Anthony Festa), rock-star wannabe from Detroit. Their love is as inevitable as Steve Perry's "Oh Sherrie." They soar together in song, but when proprietor Dennis (a convincingly wasted Justin Colombo) books Stacee Jaxx for a save-the-Bourbon-Room fundraiser, Sherrie is seduced by his celebrity. True love goes astray in strip-joint and boy-band detours.

Amma Osei as the exotic-dance-club mama tests our eardrums on "Harden My Heart" while Rob Marnell as Stacee purposefully underwhelms (spoiler alert He's a villainous foil) on "Dead or Alive." As adversaries in the strip-mallization of The Strip, Kelly Felthous, Steve Brady and Michael Lorz bring on the farce. But no one outstrips Genson Blimline of Miller Place, narrator and wink-wink dramaturge, for rock-opera aplomb. He makes sure no one takes anything seriously.As the Journey finale implores, "Don't Stop Believin'."

If you can't rock to Gateway's "Ages," check your pulse.
 

The New York Times
Aileen Jacobson

“Rock of Ages,” now at the Gateway Playhouse in Bellport, is an entertaining, high-energy party. It is also exceedingly silly, but that’s a good thing. If this musical, featuring broad humor and 1980s pop songs, many of them from hair-metal bands like Poison and Twisted Sister, took itself seriously, it could easily become insufferable

Read the full NY Times review...
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/31/nyregion/review-of-rock-of-ages-at-gateway-playhouse-in-bellport.html?_r=0

 

 

Dans’ Papers Review
Gen Horsburgh

Theater Review Gateway’s ‘Rock of Ages’ Is Electrifying

Bringing summer back to Bellport with a bang and lots of big hair is Rock of Ages—a stunner of a production! From beginning to end, this musical will have you singing and clapping along with over 25 of the best songs that rocked the ’80s.

The show is set in 1987 on LA’s infamous Sunset Strip, in the Bourbon Room bar. Genson Blimline, a native Long Islander fresh off Broadway’s run of Rock of Ages, reprises his role of Lonny Barnett for Gateway. Blimline is on point the entire performance with comedic timing that is uproarious and vocals worthy of a rock star. Lonny and Dennis Dupree (played by Justin Colombo) are sidesplittingly funny, and had the audience roaring during their duet “Can’t Fight This Feeling.”

We meet Drew Boley, a busboy at the Bourbon Room from South Detroit who dreams of becoming a rock star, and Sherrie Christian, a small-town girl from Kansas who aspires to be a famous actress. Drew, played by the adorable and talented Anthony Festa, falls instantly for the pretty blonde, played by powerhouse Emily Behny. Festa’s vocals are exactly what I expect from a rocker, and he is completely convincing as the love-struck and naturally talented rock star Drew. In “I Wanna Rock” you can feel his passion for music in each note, and in “I’ve Been Waiting for a Girl” we can feel him falling hard for Sherrie. As our Sherrie, Behny is at first a bit reserved and demure, but once she hits those high, powerful notes like the ones in “Harden My Heart,” the small town girl from Kansas seems to disappear before our eyes as Sherrie blossoms into a world-hardened woman.

Behind the scenes a German father-son duo bribes the mayor to sell the Sunset Strip to the dismay of the mayor’s former assistant Regina, played by Kelly Felthous. Felthous might play a secondary character, but her vocals are anything but! She brings the house down with “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and she handles the German builder’s son Franz— played by a hysterical Michael Lorz—exceedingly well and in the end, helps save the Sunset Strip. Keep an eye on these two—they’re show stealers!

In an effort to make some money and help save the Sunset Strip, Dupree hatches the idea to invite (blackmail) rock star Stacee Jaxx to perform his last show with the group Arsenal before they disband. This, of course, happens on the eve of Drew and Sherrie’s first real date, where Drew stupidly blows his shot with Sherrie. Feeling rejected, Sherrie runs into the arms of the slimy, but handsome and rich (and famous) Stacee Jaxx, and the two end up hooking up in the men’s room as Drew opens the show for Arsenal. The proverbial crap hits the fan when Drew finds out what Sherrie did. Stacee Jaxx demands Dupree fire Sherrie, and it looks as though our love story has ended. Will Act II change this?

A real coup for Gateway was the last minute addition of Blondie’s lead guitarist, Tommy Kessler, as the onstage lead guitar player for the show. Kessler has played in Rock of Ages since its Off-Broadway days, and has taken a three-week break off the national tour to appear in Gateway’s rock star production.

Rock of Ages lives up to its name, as it will literally rock your world. The cast is sexy and sensational, bringing to life an era of badass and bad hair, with vocals that left me stunned and grinning from ear to ear. YES. Gateway and summer are back!

Don’t miss “Rock of Ages” playing at the Gateway Playhouse in Bellport through June 6. For tickets visit gatewayplayhouse.org.

 

NYTheatreGuide.com
By Kristen Weyer

Are you ready to rock?! Well, if you’re heading to Gateway Playhouse’s production of Rock of Ages you’d better be! Prepare to be dropped straight into the late 1980’s rock scene from the second it begins. It’s loud, flashy, energetic and tons of fun. Centering on a bar on L.A’s Sunset Strip, The Bourbon Room, its various characters bring something for everyone. A touching love story, hard core rocking, comedic relief, and even exotic dancing. Part musical, part rock concert, Rock of Ages is a high-octane performance full of big numbers, and big hair.

Our knowledgeable and hilarious narrator is Lonny (Genson Blimline), an employee of The Bourbon Room who expertly guides us through the plotline. The owner of the aforementioned establishment is Dennis (Justin Colombo), who is in a struggle to keep his bar from greedy construction mogul Hertz Klinemann (Steve Brady). Hertz, meanwhile is plagued not only with Dennis but also with tenacious social activist Regina (Kelly Felthous), as well as his hysterically awkward son Franz (Michael Lorz). Don’t forget the love story. Wanna-be rocker Drew (Anthony Festa), and aspiring actress Sherrie (Emily Behny) have their emotional ups and downs, complete with sleazy rock star Stacee Jaxx (Rob Marnell) and a strip club run by Mother (Amma Osei). Will it all work out in the end? Will Drew and Sherrie work out their problems and come together? You’ll have to check it out and see!

‘Rock of Ages’ is a high-octane performance full of big numbers, and big hair.

The cast of this production is phenomenal. Genson Blimline who reprises his Broadway role of Lonny, is perfect. His characterization, mannerisms, attitude and comedic timing are all on point and he truly makes this show something special. Emily Behny is wonderful as the sweet Sherrie. Her lovely voice is clear and strong, her dancing ability is abundantly apparent, and you’ll find yourself falling for her lovable character from the beginning. Anthony Festa was a wonderful choice for Drew. Not only does he make his character likeable and charming, but the power in his voice is awe-inspiring on more than one occasion. Bringing excellent characterization and a superb voice to Dennis, Justin Colombo gives a convincing performance. Both Rob Marnell as Stacee, and Kelly Felthous as Regina bring full commitment and gusto to their quirky characters. Their delightful portrayals are enhanced with pleasing voices, and they greatly assist in bringing this story to life. Steve Brady as Hertz is the one you love to hate, while Michael Lorz as Franz steals every scene he is in with his adorable and hilarious behavior. Amma Osei’s powerful voice is quite impressive, as is the magnificent ensemble who harmonizes throughout the production to brilliant effect.

Not only are they amazing singers, but the dancing and choreography of this show are beautifully done.

Keith Andrews (Director/Choreographer) did a fantastic job along with Associate Director Michael Minarik who was part of the original Broadway Company. The blocking and staging of the actors works very well with the intricate and energetic choreography. The credit belongs equally to the creativity and the execution. Costume Designer Gregory Gale did a marvelous job. The style of the time period is perfectly portrayed with crazy colors, loud patterns, tight pants, short skirts and everything else you would expect to see. The set by Beowulf Borritt was very cleverly done. It is an extremely successful design working well for the space and the plotline.

This show wouldn’t be half of what it needed to be without the lighting and sound. Lighting Designer Christopher Landy, and Musical Director Andrew Haile Austin have impressively produced an effectively authentic rock experience. This comes complete with strobe lighting and a fog machine. The band rocked out on stage the entire time, with lead guitarist Tommy Kessler and drummer Jon Weber both having been a part of the Broadway Company as well. Completing the amazing band, along with Andrew Haile Austin, is guitarist Joe Loschiavo, and bass player Matthew Bermudez.

Rock of Ages is a raucous, irreverent barrel of laughs. With the book by Chris Darienzo and arrangements and orchestrations by Ethan Popp, they have managed to give us an 80’s rock Broadway musical, which celebrates the time period while acknowledging the ridiculous aspects at the same time. They lovingly poke fun with hilarious results. A crazy, but very entertaining good time.

Running Time Approximately 2 ½ hours including one 15 minute intermission.

Advisory Sexual situations and jokes, cursing, and stripping.

Rock of Ages is running at The Gateway Playhouse in Bellport through June 6th, 2015. The Theater is located at 215 South Country Rd., Bellport NY. For tickets call the box office at (631) 286-1133 or click here.