Following an acclaimed run at Off-Broadway's New World Stages, the rock musical began previews on Broadway March 17.

The cast is headed by "American Idol" finalist Maroulis (The Wedding Singer), who reprises the role of Drew that he performed Off-Broadway. He is joined for the Broadway run by Spanger (The Wedding Singer; Kiss Me, Kate) as Sherrie and Carpinello (Saturday Night Fever, VH1's "So NoTORIous") as Stacee Jaxx.

The company also features Adam Dannheisser (The Coast of Utopia, Twelfth Night), Mitchell Jarvis (Fiddler on the Roof), Michele Mais (Roza), Lauren Molina (Sweeney Todd), Paul Schoeffler (Sweet Charity, Nine), Wesley Taylor (See Rock City), Ericka Hunter (Flower Drum Song, 42nd Street), Jeremy Jordan (Little Dog Laughed tour), Michael Minarik (Les Miserables), Angel Reed (Saturday Night Fever tour), Bahiyah Sayyed-Gaines (Pal Joey, The Color Purple), Katherine Tokarz (White Christmas, A Chorus Line), Andre Ward (Xanadu, The Producers), Savannah Wise (Les Miserables), Tad Wilson (The Full Monty) and Jeremy Woodard (Glory Days).

The onstage band, ARSENAL, comprises music director/keyboardist Henry Aronson, lead guitarist Joel Hoekstra, drummer Jon Weber, bassist Winston Roye and guitar player David Gibbs, who also wrote the original arrangements.

 

	James Carpinello in Rock of Ages
	photo by Joan Marcus

"In 1987 on the Sunset Strip," Rock of Ages production notes state, "a small town girl met a big city rocker and in L.A.'s most famous rock club, they fell in love to the greatest songs of the '80s. . . . [The musical is] an arena-rock love story told through the mind-blowing, face-melting hits of Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, Reo Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Foreigner, Twisted Sister, Poison, Asia, Whitesnake and many more."

Rock of Ages was penned by Chris D'Arienzo and features direction by Kristin Hanggi and choreography by Kelly Devine. The creative team also includes scenic designer Beowulf Boritt, costume designer Gregory Gale, lighting designer Jason Lyons, sound designer Peter Hylenski and projection designer Zachary Borovay wither music supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Ethan Popp.

Rock of Ages is produced on Broadway by Matthew Weaver, Carl Levin, Jeff Davis, Barry Habib, Scott Prisand, and Corner Store Fund I, in association with Janet Billig Rich, Hillary Weaver, Toni Habib, Stefany & Simon Bergson, Charles Rolecek, Susanne Brook, Israel Wolfson, Max Gottlieb, Jennifer Maloney, John Butler/Sara Katz and Prospect Pictures.

The Brooks Atkinson Theatre is located in Manhattan at 256 West 47th Street. For tickets call (212) 307-4100 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.