‘Rock of Ages’ plays on both sides of bay
If you’re a fan of power chords, enormous hair and overwrought emotion, chances are you look to Styx, Twisted Sister, Foreigner, Journey and their noble ilk to quench your music thirsts. But musical theater has a show just for you as well, and starting this week, it’s playing in two separate productions on either side of the bay.
Palo Alto Players and Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre are both mounting “Rock of Ages,” the jukebox musical written by Chris D’Arienzo and crammed with 1980s classic rock: Whitesnake and Starship, Pat Benatar and Poison.
The story follows a wannabe rocker named Drew, who’s working in a dead-end job in an unsavory Sunset Strip bar, just as it’s threatened with demolition. What could save it but rock ’n’ roll — and some men’s room intercourse, a midnight train and a lap dance along the way?
“Rock of Ages”: 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, April 27-28; 2 p.m. Sunday, April 29. Through May 13. $25-$55. Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. (650) 329-0891. www.payplayers. org; 8 p.m. Saturday, April 28; 2 p.m. Sunday, April 29. Through May 13. $19$41. Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton. (925) 931-4848. www.pcrtproductions.org