Franklin Footlight Theatre is holding auditions for ROCK OF AGES!

Book by Chris D’Arienzo

Arrangements and Orchestrations by Ethan Popp

 

ABOUT THE SHOW: “It is 1987, and the fabled West Hollywood club the Bourbon Room is the seedy, sordid, vibrant heart of the Sunset Strip. The music venue has seen better days, but as run by chilled-out former rock impresario Dennis Dupree, and tended to by Dennis’s mischievous assistant Lonny, it is the essence of rock and roll. When bright-eyed young hopeful Sherrie Christian, a small-town girl who wants to make it as an actress, arrives in town, she bumps into Drew, a Bourbon Room busboy with dreams of rock and roll stardom. Love-struck Drew convinces Dennis to hire Sherrie, and the stage seems set for their romance. But when the Mayor of West Hollywood, persuaded by a couple of scheming German real estate developers, announces his intention to demolish the Bourbon Room and the entire gritty Sunset Strip, the stakes are raised. Dennis convinces rock god Stacee Jaxx, lead singer of megaband Arsenal, to play the band’s last show at the Bourbon Room, hopeful that the money raised will stop the building from being demolished. But Stacee, a man of massive charisma and massive ego, leaves destruction in his wake, sleeping with Sherrie and getting knocked out by his own band before the concert is over. In the midst of violent anti-demolition protests, Sherrie flees to a nearby strip club and Drew falls into the clutches of a boy band. Who can save the Bourbon Room, the young lovers, and the feuding Germans? Only Lonny, the “dramatic conjurer”, knows for sure. Rock of Ages is a big, brash, energetic tribute to classic rock, to over-the-top ballads and fierce guitar, to the gritty glamor and rough energy of the Sunset Strip. This jukebox musical features ‘80s hits such as “We Built this City”, “I Wanna Rock”, and “Don’t Stop Believin’”.”

 

Footlight’s production is directed by Jule C. Finley and music directed by Christine Chiasson, with choreography by Cam Moquin and Addison Granger.

 

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

 

AUDITION DATES: Auditions will be held on May 27 and 29 at Franklin High School. You only need to attend one night of auditions.

 

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE: Most typically, we rehearse on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings from 6pm-9pm in Franklin. Some additional Saturday choreography rehearsals may be added. Not all actors will be called to every rehearsal. You are expected to be available every evening the week of the performance (aka “tech week”). 

 

The rehearsal process will begin with a readthrough on June 1, with regular rehearsals beginning June 3. (We will not be rehearsing July 3-5. Go enjoy the holiday!)

 

PERFORMANCE DATES: The show will run August 13-17 at Tilton School’s Hamilton Hall for a total of five performances.

 

WHO CAN AUDITION? Auditions are open to anyone aged 16 or older. We will be aiming to assemble a cast of roughly 35 actors—some actors will play multiple roles!

 

WHAT TO PREPARE: Please submit the audition form prior to auditioning. (Link coming soon!)

If you are interested in being considered for a soloist role, please prepare one minute or less of an 80s hit song. Everyone should come prepared to dance!

 

LIST OF ROLES

• DREW: An appealing, good-guy rocker with great, easy comedic timing, a boyish charm, vulnerability, and a very strong rock tenor voice. Drew works at the legendary Bourbon Room hoping and waiting for his dreams to come true. He finds an instant attraction to Sherrie, the beautiful new arrival from the Midwest, who encourages him to go after his dreams. 

• SHERRIE: Caucasian female, an in-shape, pretty, fresh faced, innocent Midwestern girl stepping right off the bus into a new world to pursue her dreams of stardom. Strong comedic timing, strong rock belt, good movement ability. Should be comfortable in revealing/skimpy clothing. 

• LONNY: The narrator of the piece, charming, mischievous, welcoming, vibrant personality, a guy who would be fun to spend one drunken night with. Strong, honest comedic timing and improv skills, and strong rock vocals. 

• DENNIS DUPREE: Classic stoner type guy who runs the famous Bourbon Room club. Torn about whether he should sell the club to Hertz, a German businessman. Very strong comedic timing. A laid back, easy going dude. Bari-tenor rock vocals. 

• STACEE JAXX/FATHER: A sexy rock star. Decided to leave his successful hair/metal-rock band to try it solo. Self important, confident intriguing in all the wrong ways, the ultimate bad boy; he is all about sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll. Great comedic timing and strong rock tenor voice. 

• JUSTICE/MOTHER: African-American female, strong presence, an easy sensuality about her. Once a performer, she now operates a strip club where Sherrie winds up working. Takes on the maternal role for the girls that work for her. Strong, soulful vocals and belt needed. 

• HERTZ KLINEMANN: An attractive older German male. Uptight, cold, intimidating businessman trying to buy up the Strip to develop it. The bad guy of the piece. Strong comedic timing and baritone vocals. 

• FRANZ KLINEMANN: Hertz’s son, young German male. Works for his father, but not by choice. Pressured and intimidated by his father. Shy, gentle with a big heart. Strong vocals and comedic timing. 

• REGINA: A fun, hippie type, in shape, earthy girl who fights against the attempted take over of The Strip. Strong comedic timing, belt vocals, and comfortable in revealing/skimpy clothing. 

• MAYOR/JA'KEITH/ENSEMBLE: A strong character actor with good comedic timing to play numerous roles, strong rock tenor, and strong dance/movement ability. 

• JOEY PRIMO:  A young male with the rocker sensibility, strong rock tenor and strong/ dance/movement ability

• ENSEMBLE: Strong dancers proficient in jazz and modern, comedic ability, and strong rock vocals.  Females may be sassy and comfortable in very skimpy/sexy clothing.