ATW Digest - Rock of Ages opens on B'way - read the reviews
By Andy Propst on Apr 8, 2009 | In ATW Digest
AmericanTheaterWeb
Review: Rock of Ages
80s Rock Highlghted in This Terrific Jukebox Musical
New York Times
Big-Hair Rockers Return in a New Arena: Broadway
“Rock of Ages” is a seriously silly, absurdly enjoyable arena-rock musical.
New York Daily News
Dziemianowicz: '80s with cheese
Hey, it worked for the ABBA songbook. Now '80s classics made famous by artists like Journey, Styx, Pat Benatar and Whitesnake could mean jukebox-musical gold for "Rock of Ages," which opened Tuesday night.
amNY New York City Theater
Theater Review of Rock of Ages
When was the last time you were encouraged to drink beer during a Broadway show? Or, for that matter, wave (fake) lighters during power ballads and occasionally sing along?
New York Post
Hit parade's not rock-solid
It's the gift that keeps on giving: You've played all your favorite '80s hits on "Guitar Hero" -- now hear them on...
ny1
NY1 Theater Review: "Rock Of Ages"
"Rock of Ages" is not for everyone, but I bet a lot of people who wouldn't expect to like this goofy musical will be smitten. Count me in that group.
Bergen Record
‘Rock’ sinks like a stone
Theater reviewer Robert Feldberg takes a hard look at 1980s-inspired musical “Rock of Ages.”
Associated Press
'Rock of Ages' Tours the Music of the '80s
It's not often that a musical's narrator interrupts the show to mock its formulaic book and simple humor.
USA Today
'Rock of Ages' makes it hard to hold on to the feeling
hat do Madonna, Prince, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, U2, Bruce Springsteen, the Police and Dire Straits have in common? ....They're just a few of the artists who had enormous hits between 1980 and 1989, and whose tunes apparently lacked sufficient camp value to qualify for the jukebox musical Rock of Ages (*½ out of four).
Variety
Review: Rock of Ages
If the 1980s were a bad-fashion blur you'd rather forget, "Rock of Ages" may not be for you. But if tortured mullets, unwaxed chests, studded leather, acid-wash denim and wailing guitars make you yearn for the Reagan years, this unapologetically silly hair-metal jukebox musical will probably have you gulping tequila shots and singing along.
Hollywood Reporter
Theater Review: Rock of Ages
Bottom Line: "Don't Stop Believin' " that this 1980s rock-inspired musical will be a hit.
Back Stage
Rock of Ages reviewed by David Sheward
As directed with manic energy by Kristin Hanggi and played with an obvious wink to the audience by the hard-working cast, the show doesn't take itself seriously for one second.
TheaterMania
Peter Filichia's Diary: Three Quasi-Rock Musicals
Three quasi-rock musicals in a three-day span.
Review: Rock of Ages
This jukebox material using the hairband songs of the 1980s is deliriously entertaining.
Talkin' Broadway
Review: Rock of Ages
The migraine-inducing volume levels. The selling of alcohol not just before the show and at intermission but during the performance. A book of such cliché-riddled vapidity and indifferent relationship to the mid-1980s hair-rock songs it supposedly links that it’s practically mocking the already ridiculous notion of jukebox musicals. There are so very, very many reasons to hate Rock of Ages, which just opened at the Brooks Atkinson. So why can’t you?
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