Rock of Ages (2025)

Content Cautions

Strong Adult Language, Sexual Content, Suggestive Dancing, Strobe Lighting, Fog and Smoke FX, Heavy Drinking, & Heavy Metal

Preview

March 6th, 2025

Performances

March 7th-9th, 14th-16th, & 21st-23rd, 2025

Preview, Fridays & Saturdays @ 7:30pm • Sundays @ 2:30pm

Venue

Community Players Theatre

Arrangements and Orchestrations by Ethan Popp

Book by Chris D'Arienzo

ROCK OF AGES is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com

Synopsis

It’s the tail end of the big, bad 1980s in Hollywood, and the party has been raging hard. Aqua Net, Lycra, lace and liquor flow freely at one of the Sunset Strip’s last legendary venues, a place where sex machine Stacee Jaxx takes the stage and scantily clad groupies line up to turn their fantasies into reality. Amidst 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 Sherri, fresh off the bus from Kansas with stars in her eyes). But the rock ’n’ roll fairy tale 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, Sherri and the gang save the strip – and themselves – before it’s too late? Only the music of hit bands Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake and more hold the answer.

Special Thanks

Town of Normal Public Works, Daniel Megli, Scott Lathrop, Len Mroz, Shireen Banigan, Maggie Borkholder, Amanda Padgitt, Jim Bethmann, Rich Plotkin, Paul Dillow, Sam Willis, Bill Krall, Mark Wright, Signs Direct, Pop-A-Shot, & The Entire Cast and Staff of Rock of Ages

From Director Brett Cottone

Alright, folks, it’s time to kick back, crank the volume up to 11, and dive headfirst into the neon dream that is Rock of Ages! We’re talking big hair, bigger guitars, and enough 80s jams to make your heart (and your mullet) soar. Rock of Ages is a party with a capital P, and we're all just here to have a blast together.

Set on the wild and wonderful Sunset Strip, this show is a toe-tapping, air-guitar-shredding love letter to everything that was (and still is) amazing about rock 'n' roll. And sure, there’s a love story—because what would an ‘80s musical be without one?—but mostly, it’s about chasing your dreams, figuring out what the heck you’re doing with your life, and maybe even learning that you might be the one who’s gonna “rock” the world (or at least rock the stage for two hours).

Now, let’s talk about why this show matters right now. In a world that feels a little too much like an endless political news cycle—full of stress, uncertainty, and occasionally existential dread—Rock of Ages is here to remind us that sometimes entertainment is the best medicine. Tonight, it’s all about shaking off the chaos and coming together to just have an absolute blast.

The talented cast and crew have poured their heart, soul, and (yes, yes, yes) a whole lot of hairspray into bringing this show to life. Every high note, every power ballad, and every leather-clad moment is a reminder that, even in tough times, joy, music, and a good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll anthem can bring us together. So sit back, relax, and let’s all take a break from the chaos of the world—because we really deserve this.

So, throw on your best “I-don’t-care” face, grab a seat, and let’s rock ‘n’ roll through the next couple hours. This is your permission slip to just enjoy the ride, and let us rock your world.

Let’s do this.

- Brett Cottone