Sisters doing it for themselves
FEMALE DIRECTOR AND ACTRESS AT THE HEART OF IT ALL
Your invitation to go and feel the noise.
Between director Elizma Badenhorst lead star Claire Taylor, the pulsating production of Rock of Ages at The Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City is a testament that even rock music is not a man’s world.
And considering they’re at the helm of one of the world’s favourite jukebox musicals, these stage veterans ensure a spectacle from start to finish.
Harking back to 1987, Rock of Ages plays off in West Hollywood in the sensually sordid club called Bourbon Room.
When Sherrie Christain arrives in Hollywood with dreams of becoming an actress, she ends up in the club, where she turns life on the Sunset Strip around.
Taylor, who has starred in more traditional musicals like Cabaret and West Side Story, has taken a liking to Sherrie since she can let her hair down belting out rock music gold.
“This role has been fun to take on. From the rock belts in those nostalgic power ballads to the quirkiness of Sherrie, I am loving every moment,” she says.
Badenhorst is also enjoying the departure of directing a jukebox show.
“I feel it makes it easier, in a sense. I just tapped into my own strong emotional ties to the material. Everyone can relate to the story of ending up with dreams you didn’t dream of from the outset,” she says.
With numbers like Cum On Feel the Noize, We’re Not Gonna Take It, Hit Me with Your Best Shot and the crowd-pleasing Don’t Stop Believing, the musical offers songs that not only tap into the audience’s nostalgia, but bring the show to life.
Both the director and actress have their favourite numbers and considering there are more than 20 popular rock anthems interspersed in the show, they’re not really playing favourites – there’s a song for everyone.
On her favourite number, Taylor says: “It would have to be I Can’t Fight This Feeling between Dennis and Lonny, played by Craig Urbani and Zak Hendrikz respectively. Craig and Zak are hilarious and the audience’s response to that number gets me every time. My favourite number as Sherrie would have to be High Enough, a duet I sing with the incredibly talented Josh Ansley, who plays Drew. It’s a beautiful, power rock ballad.”
Badenhorst lists her favourites as Oh Sherrie, I Can’t Fight This Feeling, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, We Built This City and, of course, Don’t Stop Believing.
But selling these numbers
relies on dazzling costumes and, in character, Taylor sports a heaven-high hairdo with incredible ’80s inspired garb.
“We have a fantastic behindthe-scenes team that comes together to create the rock magic every night.
“It usually takes me around five to 10 minutes to get into costume, around five minutes to get my mic up and five minutes to have my wig put on, once I have my hair pin curled.
“Noleen Fenske is the genius behind our crazy rock hairstyles. There is a considerable amount of time spent on make-up and hair prep before all of that, though,” she says.
Sherrie’s story relates to many young actresses who try to make it in what can be a dark industry – it’s something Taylor could tap into for her portrayal.
“I definitely used some of my own experiences or feelings, with a bit of a tongue-in-cheek approach.
“Sherrie is somewhat naive, slightly quirky and, at times, not very bright. But she has a lovable and vulnerable side, too.
“The text gave me plenty to work with, but I definitely drew some inspiration from Sue from the TV show The Middle, as well as the Anna Farris character in The
Scary Movie franchise. “I also watched a couple of clips of some past Broadway Sherries,” Taylor explains.
But there’s no rest for her once her run as Sherrie is up.
“I won’t be getting much of a break this festive season. I’ll be flying to America soon after Rock
of Ages closes to start rehearsals for my next project. It looks like I won’t be back in SA until mid next year.
“But as long as I’m doing what I love, I’m quite happy to be busy.
And when I get to mix travel with performance, I am in my element!” she says.
Rock of Ages features an impressive set list of 28 songs performed by a live band, led by musical director, Wessel Odendaal. Co-starring with Taylor is The
Voice season 2 runner-up Ansley, who 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 Superstar, followed by a gig in Zimbabwe’s very own pop boy band, 5Star.
It all culminates in a not-to-bemissed holiday spectacular.