Theater West End (115 W 1st St, Sanford, Fl), tends to offer very ambitious productions. Rock of Ages, with the book by Chris D’Arienzo and arrangements and orchestrations by Ethan Popphas to be the most ambitious musical I have seen at this venue. The huge cast, spreads out into the audience making this a true interactive experience.
I had never seen the musical Rock of Ages before. It is a a jukebox musical featuring classic rock songs, primarily from the 1980s. It features the hits of bands including Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister and more. The production is sexy, vibrant, and irreverent while being at heart love story.
A small town girl, Sherri (Ariana Ortiz), arrived in Hollywood and immediately had her purse stolen. A boy, Drew (Zackary Racine), helps console her although she didn’t have any valuables in the bag. She was just thrilled to be in the big city. These two seemed destined to be together but he insisted that they just be friends, although over time he regretted that comment. He wanted to be a rock and roll star but instead was recruited into a trendy boy band with a cheesy multi color jump suit and cap. She fell for a rock star who treated her like dirt and then turned to a life of stripping after he dumped her. I was particularly amazed by Ariana’ solo number. They both denied their feelings for one another until they met again later by chance and the spark reignited.
The musical followed so many life stories from the big city. A German son who was sacrificing his dream to keep his father’s destructive ambition to tear down and develop the strip into a soulless shopping mall, a narrator, who was hilarious and often flirted with the audience. A protestor intent on being seen. A madame who had a heart of gold under her hard exterior shell. All these lives swirled around one another with epic egos fighting for attention in the rocking age of the 1980s. I was blown away by the choreography of Ashlyn Bigley since there were so many cast members in constant motion. And I was amazed that director, Desiree Montes kept such a bold intimate production on track.
The finale featured the whole cast singing Dont’ Stop Believing by Journey. I sang along and clapped loudly, being completely swept away with this anthem of love and hope. On the drive back to the studio, I was still singing Don’t Stop Believing. I felt emboldened, convinced I am ready to take on whatever life throws my way.
Rock of Ages runs through August 17, 2025. Tickets run from $40 to $46. You don’t want to miss this show.
