Rock of Ages puts students on stage for the rock era

The students of Te Awamutu College present Rock of Ages (High School Edition) from Wednesday, June 20 to Saturday, June 23.

It’s the tail end of the big, bad 1980s in Hollywood, and the party has been raging hard.

Hairspray, lycra and heavy metal flow freely at one of the Sunset Strip’s last legendary venues, The Bourbon Room, a place where legendary rocker Stacee Jaxx takes the stage and groupies line up for their chance at an autograph.

Amid the madness, aspiring rock star (and resident toilet cleaner) Drew longs to take the stage as the next big thing, and longs for small-town girl Sherrie, fresh off the bus from Kansas with stars in her eyes.

But the rock and roll fairytale is about to end when German developers sweep into town with plans to turn the fabled Strip into just another capitalist strip mall.

Can Drew, Sherrie, and the gang save the strip — and themselves — before it’s too late? Only the music of hit bands Styx, Journey, Whitesnake and more hold the answer.

The cast is led by Te Kapamanawakii Crown as the all-seeing, all-rockin’ narrator Lonny Barnett.

Astonishingly, Crown is new to the stage but carries huge star presence.

Also new to the stage is Mikey Jordan as old rocker and owner of the Bourbon Room, Dennis Dupree.

Mikey’s soulful voice packs a punch as do his witty one-liners.

Adriana Vasinca and Lachlan Oosterman dazzle on stage as aspiring starlets and romantic leads Sherrie and Drew.

Rock of Ages also stars Hannah Dale as righteous activist Anita Bath, Abigail Campbell, as the evil corporate investor Hilda Klinemann and her hapless son Franz, played by Seamus McGrath. Ocean Pelton stars as the abominable rock star Stacee Jaxx and Renee Gibson as mother to lost souls, Justice Charlier.

With a supporting cast of more than 60 students, a live rock band and a crew of dozens more, this is one energy-fuelled performance.

Te Awamutu College staff and students have dedicated hundreds of hours of time, and a fair pinch of blood, sweat and rock n’ roll — including an intensive three day rehearsal, costume making and set build during the Term One Electives period.

Director is Kylie Willock, joined by assistant director Carli Last.

Musical director is Bob Hollinshead and assistant musical director is George Brooks.

Choreographer

Natua.

If you’re looking for Nothin’ But a Good Time, Don’t Stop Believin’ tickets are on sale now at Te Awamutu College Student Centre.

Book now. Seats are limited. Adults $15, children $10 and a family ticket (three children, two adults) is $45.

The Final Countdown is on Wednesday, June 20 to Friday, June 22: 7pm. Saturday, June 23: 1pm and 7pm. is Teupoko