Rock of Ages: High School Edition
at Westfield High School

Reviewed on April 27, 2019

Emma Shacochis
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

Do you wanna rock? Got too much time on your hands? Then the search is over - come on and feel the noise at Westfield High School, whose electrifying production of Rock of Ages is just like paradise!

Rock of Ages features book by Chris D'Arienzo and a score packed with an array of rock tunes and power ballads from the works of Styx, Whitesnake, Journey, and more. The jukebox musical opened on Broadway in 2009 and, boasting over 2,000 performances, is the 29th longest-running show in Broadway history. Rock of Ages received five Tony nominations, including Best Musical, and has since been produced worldwide.

The time: the mid-to-late 1980s. The place: California's Sunset Strip, an "acid-washed epicenter" of rock and roll excess. When fame-seeking dreamers Drew and Sherrie meet at the legendary Dupree's Bourbon Room, they instantly fall for one another. However, when German landscapers and the alluring rocker Stacee Jaxx threaten the Strip and their relationship, will they follow their hearts to one another or pay the lonely price of fame?

As a city boy born and raised in South Detroit ("Michigan!"), John Henry Stamper's affable performance as wannabe rockstar Drew was superb, as he vacillated between Drew's ambition and self-doubt. Stamper's phenomenal tenor and rocker falsetto excelled throughout the demanding score, especially in the upbeat "I Wanna Rock" and devoted "Oh Sherrie".

Sherrie, a small town girl living in a lonely world, was brought to life by the vivacious Keeley Rogers. She portrayed the aspiring actress with initial starry-eyed awe of Hollywood; however, after facing rejection, Rogers showed Sherrie's turn to jadedness through her mesmerizingly song "Harden My Heart".

From their post-mugging meet-cute, Stamper and Rogers created a sweet, simmering love story between Drew and Sherrie. Their consonant voices and engaging chemistry enriched their duets of "Waiting For A Girl Like You" and "The Search Is Over".

Every story needs a narrator, and as dramatic conjurer Lonny, Harry Schlatter executed his fourth wall-breaking antics with aplomb. Wild, raunchy, and constantly inserting himself into scenes, Schlatter's effortless improvisation magnified his charged performance. Along with Bourbon Room owner Dennis (Josh Moore), Schlatter turned "Can't Fight This Feeling" into a hilarious yet heartfelt "bromantic" duet.

Alan Gutierrez-Urista showcased the moral struggle of Franz, a German redeveloper, with nonstop hilarity. Gutierrez-Urista's prancing gait and merry German accent made him a scene-stealing delight, especially when, clad in aerobics gear, he stood up to his overbearing father in "Hit Me with Your Best Shot".

Adorned in totally rad 1980's garb and possessing groupie-like enthusiasm, the ensemble exuberantly populated the Bourbon Room as rambunctious rock fans. The company showcased their beautiful harmonies in "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" and "Don't Stop Believin'", and their already high energy was increased by their execution of the stylish, fist-pumping choreography (Ashley Andre, et al.).

Thanks to those who "built this city" (Braeden Anderson, et al.), the set - from the Strip's graffiti-covered streets to the Bourbon Room's worn interior - encapsulated the rock scene's halcyon days perfectly. The stage crew completed each scene transition with the efficiency of experienced roadies. Ray Panzer's effects, including an elevated concert stage and floor fan, helped create the atmosphere of a rock stadium. Thanks to the work of the hair and make-up team (Grace Jenkins), several cast members sported impressive wigs of teased hair and mullets.

The infectious charisma of Westfield's VIP cast had the raucous rockers in the audience bursting into well-deserved ovations. Crank up the amps and grab a Slurpee - you're in for nothin' but a good time at Rock of Ages!

Sam Kaynor
Thomas A. Edison High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

When you think of Rock ‘n' Roll, a few big names come to mind. Most people would probably say Elvis Presley, The Beatles, maybe Led Zeppelin, but after tonight, the first thing that will come to mind is Wolfgang Von Cult and the Bourbon Room.

Westfield Theatre's production of Rock of Ages truly brought the classic sound of 1980s rock to life, and they did it in style. Every part of the show screamed commitment, effort, and energy. The entire production came together to form an incredibly enjoyable show for everyone sitting in the auditorium. It is fair game to say that Aif music died on February 3rd, 1959, then music came back to life larger than ever on April 26th, 2019. It was a long 60 years, but they were well worth the wait.

Rock of Ages follows Drew (John Henry Stamper) and Sherrie (Keeley Rogers) through their journeys in Los Angeles. Drew pursues and eventually achieves his dream of becoming a rock star, while Sherrie goes from actress to waitress to exotic Venus dancer. They join together, go their own ways, believe themselves to be betrayed by the other, and then reunite in front of a midnight train as Drew stops Sherrie from leaving on the previously noted midnight train.

This show was full of memorable characters. The leads of the show, Drew and Sherrie had incredible chemistry and voices that made the hearts of audience members melt. The incredible comedy, energy, and eventual bromance of Lonny (Harry Schlatter) and Dennis Dupree (Josh Moore) truly made the Bourbon Room a great place to hang out while watching the story unfold. The Venus Club brought a sultry touch to the stage that made a great contrast to Sherrie's personality and character. Of course, singing isn't everything (though it is a musical, so…). Some characters did more than just sing. In particular, Franz (Alan Gutierrez-Urista) had a great singing voice, a humorous German accent, comedic timing that made him one of the most interesting characters to follow, and a tear-away suit that made for a very interesting costume choice.

Speaking of costumes, the costume team was headed by, surprise surprise, Alan Gutierrez-Urista. Every costume had style, made sense with the time period, and was stunning. One especially interesting costume decision was studding many pieces of clothing. The costume department even made a special studded hijab to respect one of the ensemble member's religion, which was impressive to say the least. Of course, costumes were not the only tech department that shined. The makeup was period-appropriate and was clean among all characters. The lighting was clean and almost always lit up every face onstage. The sound crew did a good job spreading mics around so that everyone could be heard, which genuinely aided in the incredible overall sound of the cast.

Everything about this show came together to form an incredibly enjoyable experience. Every actor and actress gave their role their all, and the overall energy made every single scene exciting to watch. It was hard to believe that this show was put on by a high school theatre company, but they crushed it. Everything that needed to be there was there. This performance of Rock of Ages truly had rock for the ages.

Vanessa Rivera
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

The musical Rock of Ages reminds the audience "the dreams you come in with might not be the dreams you come out with, it's about the journey... and not just the band" Westfield High School's rock solid performance of Rock of Ages was "nothin' but a good time".

A jukebox musical compilation of classic rock and glam rock songs of the 1980s, Rock of Ages features the loved songs of Twisted Sister, Bon Jovi, Journey, and Europe among others. With book by Chris D'Arienzo, the show first emerged in 2005 and saw a Broadway run, national tours, and a 2012 film adaptation of the same title. Set in a "sexier time", the Reagan Era, the show revolves around the employees of The Bourbon Room, a Hollywood bar on the Sunset Strip. As busboy Drew, an aspiring rocker, falls for aspiring actress Sherrie, the rock-n-roll haven faces the threat of demolition.

Harry Schlatter's scorching hot performance moved along the show like a rock star. As an uproarious narrator he broke the fourth wall by interacting with the audience using amusing humor and rock references. His strong voice and gestures made his character a knockout. His bromance with Dennis Dupree (Josh Moore) brought their duet "I Can't Fight This Feeling" to major heights. Sherrie (played by Keeley Rogers) and Drew (John Henry Stamper) were a match made in heaven, with their big dreams and shared love for cherry Slurpees. The sweet pair's undeniable chemistry made them more than ordinary friends. Both Rogers and Stamper had awe-inspiring vocal talent. The couple's onstage love proved that even if "every rose has its thorns, don't stop believin' in your dreams."

The blazing and flamboyant Franz was played by Alan Gutierrez-Urista. His commitment to his energized character, along with a lively performance of "Hit Me With Your Best Shot", made him an audience favorite.

Even when the show got caught in the heat of the moment, no setback could extinguish the energy. Every cast member upheld multitudes of endurance, never skipped a beat, and played off hilarious improved movements.

A dynamite set made the paradise city come to life with intense detail. Bar stools, band posters, and moving walls stood between the glowing neon signs of The Bourbon Room and Venus Club. The stage crew made each transition smooth, helping the fast-paced concert vibe of the show. The classic 1980's glam rock style of the costumes amped up the performance, from studded jackets to the band t-shirts of Def Leppard. Each outfit suited the age and personality of the respective character, such as Justice's glistening jumpsuit or the jean skirt and cowboy boots of Kansas girl Sherrie.

Electrifying energy, flaming hot tech aspects, phenomenal vocal talent made for a rockin' performance of Rock of Ages at Westfield High School.

Ben Kaynor
Thomas A. Edison High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

The 80s was perhaps best defined by three things: sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Westfield High School tackles all of these themes in their production of Rock of Ages, and the end result is a show ripped straight from the time period completed by a fiery romance between broken souls.

Drew is an aspiring musician having trouble finding his footing among other stars even at his local club, and Sherrie is an aspiring actress who's new in town and struggles to find work — acting or otherwise. Their paths cross at the Bourbon Room, a bar run by eccentric owners Dennis Dupree and Lonny, whose devotion to rock and roll epitomizes the passion of the era. As if an awkward first date isn't enough to harsh their buzz, the antagonistic German developers Hertz and his eccentric son Franz are determined to replace Sunset Strip with a cleaner housing area, destroying both the club and the culture in the process. Throw in pretentious rival rockers like Stacee Jaxx and a gentleman's roomful of strong personalities in Justice and her Venus Dancers, and the stage is set for love twists and triangles galore. Everything is sewn together by a collection of the greatest tunes from the decade: Journey, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi and more!

The blazing intensity of each character's personality is critical to the play's development, and lesser actors could struggle to bring this needed weight to the plot. Thankfully, the cast at Westfield High School shattered any doubts with a universal confidence onstage and off. Drew's hopes and regrets were portrayed perfectly by John Henry Stamper, and bounced perfectly of Keeley Rogers' Sherrie, who brought out nuanced strengths and weaknesses in a completely different way fitting to the character. Another standout performance came from Harry Schlatter playing Lonny, whose most memorable moments were the improvised fourth-wall breaks directed at the audience. All of these landed so well they felt like lines purposefully written into the script. The high energy onstage was best exemplified by the wonderfully wacky Franz, a role Alan Gutierrez-Urista breathed much life into without overdoing the character. Across the board it was a successful group of actors.

No musical is complete without singers, and as expected, the cast delivers on this front as well. The previously mentioned John Henry Stamper and Keeley Rogers set the bar infinitely high as they effortlessly belted out chords that seamlessly transitioned from the genre of musical theater to 80s hard rock. Hits like "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" showcased the vocal talent of Justice (Lauren LeVine) and Dennis Dupree (Josh Moore), who each mastered the unique timbres of their characters and gave impressively individualized takes on these rock classics. Other standout musical numbers were "Noize/Paradise/Good Time," "Here I Go Again," and "Don't Stop Believin'," which sounded like they came straight off the record.

The audience was already familiar with the songs, but the thrilling choreography redefined what they'll see whenever they listen to the tunes from now on. The whole company managed to flow as a cohesive unit, yet each individual had a defined character and place within the scene. Watching the small details of background character interactions was as much fun as the main characters center stage, yet they never detracted from each other. A wonderful set and invisible stage managers completed the play on a technical level, and kept the audience on the edge of their seat waiting for another wall to break or laser light show to begin.

Westfield High School's production of Rock of Ages is hot on the charts!

Carolyn Best
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

Leather. Mullets. Potential Naked Jell-O Wrestling Thursdays. Back in the Reagan Era, the Sunset Strip was the acid-wash epicenter for all things glam metal. While that decade is long gone, if you still wanna rock, Westfield High School's production of Rock of Ages is the place to be!

A classic rock jukebox musical, Rock of Ages features book by Chris D'Arienzo and music of hit 80's glam rock bands ranging from Twisted Sister to Bon Jovi. Originally opening on Broadway in 2009, the show of musical debauchery and decadence is tied for 29th longest running Broadway musical and has enjoyed numerous nominations, tours, and a film adaptation.

Set at a purposefully vague point in the eighties, Rock of Ages follows wannabe rock star Drew and aspiring actress Sherrie in their search for love and success on Hollywood's legendary Sunset Strip. When the club the duo work at is threatened by German developers' plans for "clean living" (and a new Arby's down the street), everyone is forced to buckle down and defend the city built on rock and roll.

Making audiences Feel the Noize, Westfield's ensemble burned down the house with their non-stop spirit. Working cohesively as a unit while maintaining unique character individuality, the ensemble's energy was as big as their hair.

Exceptional and unstoppable, John Henry Stamper portrayed amateur rocker and all around good guy Drew with ease. From healthy metal screaming to notes held as long as his hair, Stamper's vocal range and stamina was masterfully showcased.

A city boy born and raised in South Detroit (Michigan) is nothing without a small town girl living in a lonely world, and Keeley Rogers delivered just that as ambitious, but lonesome Sherrie. Rogers delicately laid out Sherrie's transition from hopeful to hopeless and right back to hopeful again with charisma and grace (not to mention her killer high belt)! Oh Sherrie!

Lonny couldn't be in every scene, but we sure wish he was! Harry Schlatter brought the house down as the raunchy rocker and non-stop narrator. Schlatter's comedic energy burned bright with his quick quips and insane improvisation.

Crowd favorites, Alan Gutierrez-Urista's German-not-gay Franz, and Lauren LeVine's soulful steadfast Justice, never failed to impress. Gutierrez-Urista's mature comedic timing and LeVine's vocal depth lent for a performance beyond their collective years.

Never unnecessarily tacky, costumes designed by Alan Gutierrez-Urista evoked the eighties with ease and told a story along the way. From Sherrie's sweet small town cowboy boots to Franz's fabulous aerobic unitard complete with sweatbands, nothing went unnoticed.

Sets by Braeden Anderson, Nora Lewis, Ray Panzer, and Vicky Thomas were perfectly gritty in form and function. The stage, flanked by neon-lit Bourbon Room bar and Venus gentleman's club, was masterfully laid out with uncountable doors, hidden folding walls, and rock-band "The Arsenals" dead center.

From Big Hair to Big Dreams, Westfield High School's production of Rock of Ages reminded audiences that even though dreams may not turn out as planned, don't stop believin'!

Bella Fisken
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

With music from world-renowned bands like Bon Jovi, Journey, and Whitesnake, Rock of Ages: High School Edition transports audiences to the journey of a community's struggle to save rock n' roll while balancing the inevitable love story between a wannabe rock star and an aspiring actress. This compilation musical ran on Broadway for over 2,300 performances, became a five-time Tony nominee, and a hit in the hearts and minds of its audiences.

From start to finish, Westfield High School managed to keep the energy high and never skipped a beat. Especially with a fast-paced musical like Rock of Ages, the cast as a whole should be given tremendous credit for making a difficult feat look simple.

Leading the production as Sherrie, Keeley Rogers, showcased her incredible vocals and amazing acting skills. Transitioning from a small-town girl to an exotic dancer, Rogers tapped into the hardships of such a large shift, adding to her character's complexity and naivety. Her realistic performance was matched by her co-lead Drew, played by John Henry Stamper, whose portrayal of her love interest was delightfully enthusiastic. His vocals absolutely blew the audience away.

Narrating the story and providing comic relief throughout the show, Lonny played by Harry Schlatter, owned the stage by displaying a certain charisma only seen in professional theater. Another performance that cannot go unmentioned was the one displayed by Colin Brown in his role of a charismatic rock star, Stacee Jaxx. Brown's masterful vocals coupled with his priceless sense of humor allowed him to be a favorite among audience members. Franz, who was played by Alan Gutierrez-Urista, stole the show with his excellent comedic timing and masterful stage presence, especially in the song, "Hit Me With Your Best Shot". It was clear that he was comfortable in his character through his excellent physical presence.

The technical aspects of the production were also stars of the show, as the fascinating set designed by Braeden Anderson and Nora Lewis took audiences back to the '80s and provided a classic concert feel. This was supported by the fact that the hair and makeup of every single character were executed with attention to detail and a desire to be authentic. To add, the lighting throughout the show was exceptional, complementing all if not most scenes perfectly, and taking the production to greater heights.

With an energetic ensemble, vibrant vocals, and exceptional chemistry, Westfield High School's production of Rock of Ages: High School Edition produced zeal that would only be matched at a rock concert.