Something got lost in the translation here. When I saw Rock of Ages Off Broadway at the New World Stages, I was disarmed by the amiable quality of the show, and the genuine craft and talent that it exhibited in telling its unpretentious story. (Read my Off-Broadway review here.) I guess I went in expecting very little, so I was pleasantly surprised to be as entertained as I was.
But when I saw Rock of Ages on Broadway last week, I was considerably less charmed. I still found the staging sharp, and I once again appreciated Chris D'Arienzo's smart, if a bit self-consciously hip, book. But somehow Kristen Hanggi's direction had become less focused, and the performances less distinct. Which is strange, because I only noticed minor substantive changes to the show in its transfer to the Brooks Atkinson.
Particularly less impressive the second time around was Constantine Maroulis as the struggling rocker at the center of the story. What at first came off as an unassuming quality seems to have morphed into a certain lack of stage presence. The guy can certainly sing, but his acting chops need a bit more seasoning. And new addition to the cast Amy Spanger, typically such a spark on stage, doesn't seemed to have found anything in this new role to ignite her considerable talents.
Welcome holdovers from the Off Broadway run include the borderline demonic Mitchell Jarvis as narrator Lonny, the winning Lauren Molina as activist Regina McKay, and the adorable Wesley Taylor in a breakout role as Franz, the fey German would-be confectioner heterosexual. Will Swenson, who originated the role of dickhead rocker Stacy Jaxx, is otherwise engaged at the moment (see my review of Hair below), so James Carpinello assumes the role on Broadway. Carpinello's voice is a tad weak in the lower register, but he's sexy as all get out, and his presence and demeanor are much better than those of the understudy I saw in the role Off Broadway.
Rock of Ages remains an infectious good time, for the right crowd: straight fortysomethings who fondly remember the likes of Whitesnake, Pat Benetar, Journey, and Foreigner. But on second viewing, the novelty of the show, at least for me, wore thin.
Oh, and if you are planning to see Rock of Ages, a warning about sight lines: Try not to sit far house right. You'll miss quite a bit of the staging that takes place stage-left, including some pretty significant plot points.
I knew this was going to be a problem for me the minute I walked into the theatre and they were already playing incredibly loud music - even before the show began!
I agree some of the performances were funny, like Mitchell Jarvis and Lauren Molina. And Constantine Maroulis was kind of sweet, Amy Spanger kind of spunky. Still, their relationship never really engaged me. And overall, Rock of Ages wasn't as witty or clever as I thought it would be.
I know I'm over-analyzing this but the more I think about it, the less I like the book. What Amy Spanger's character goes through with Stacey Jaxx was kind of ugly and distasteful rather than funny.
And I felt the show went for what it thought would be a cheap laugh by having one of the male characters sing "I can't fight this feeling" about another male character. Like a man expressing his love for another man is just so doggone hilarious we need to include it in our musical. (Although most of the audience seemed to be cheering rather than laughing. Or maybe both.)
I don't know, maybe I'm being too sensitive and taking it too seriously.
Still, I'm not sorry I saw Rock of Ages. Like you always say, you've got to see a range of shows to figure out what works. And if I hadn't I always would have wondered.
Posted by: Esther | June 02, 2009 at 11:55 PM
Yah, when I saw it, I remembered your previous review (as well as some other favourable ones from other bloggers) and I thought I missed something. I'm with Esther on this one. Though I could see it is what it is for the right crowd. (Plus, at least it was better than We Will Rock You).
Posted by: Vance | June 03, 2009 at 01:01 PM
Vance, Esther, I hear ya. Another factor mitigating my enjoyment was that this time, I forgot to bring earplugs. I get very testy when exposed to prolonged periods of high-decibel music.
Posted by: chris caggiano | June 03, 2009 at 02:27 PM
I felt differently. Infact I've flown across the country 3 times specifically to see it just since it opened on Broadway. I'm only 32 so I guess I don't fit the demographic you're talking about. Constantine Maroulis convinced me this time that I need to be his fan. He didn't on American Idol. He is phenomenal in this show and I wanted to hug that sweet rocker afterwards. He made me laugh, he made me cry, he made me go awwww, and he melted my face with his vocals.
The show is crazy fun folks - it's worth seeing it. But beware, you may get addicted! LOL
Posted by: Priscilla | June 03, 2009 at 04:55 PM
Good for Priscilla - I know how addictive some shows can be. But "Rock of Ages" was not it for me. I wouldn't cross the street for this one, let alone fly across the country.
Posted by: Steve On Broadway (SOB) | June 04, 2009 at 03:28 PM