ROCK OF AGES

Review – Rock of Ages, Pace Center, Parker, CO | Eric Fitzgerald, July 8, 2025

Rock of Ages, presented by Parker Arts, erupts onto the Pace Center stage in Parker as a loud, proud homage to the glitter, grit, and glorious excess of ’80s rock—equal parts spectacle and swagger.

Guided by Kelly Van Oosbree’s sublime direction and choreography and the creative leadership of executive producer Nancy Evans Begley, Parker Art’s Rock of Ages (in partnership with Veritas Productions) unfurls like a dream in denim, rippling with guitar-fire, glam, and a wink to the wistful hearts of yesteryear. It is both parody and prayer to the power ballad, staged with the kind of affection only true believers can conjure. And indeed, they do.

When Rock of Ages first stormed Broadway in 2009, it left behind a trail of glitter, guitar riffs, and broken hearts. Written by Chris D’Arienzo, it ran for over 2,300 performances, making it one of the longest-running shows in Broadway history.

At the Pace Center, that spirit reignites—bold, raw, and set against the dazzling world created by scenic designer Brian Mallgrave, wonderfully decade-appropriate costumes designed by Nikki Harrison, and crisp and cool lighting designed by Brett Maughan.

Prolific music director Tanner Kelly has once again waved his magic wand to bring forth some of the finest vocals around. Trent Hines leads the five-person band and provides an exquisite garnish to this 1980s rock love letter. There are multiple opportunities for the band to shine, and indeed it does without ever being overpowering. Bravissimo!

The score is a mixtape of iconic ‘80s rock anthems and power ballads, including:

• “Don’t Stop Believin’”
• “We Built This City”
• “I Want to Know What Love Is”
• “Every Rose Has Its Thorn”
• “Here I Go Again”

Each song is a crowd pleaser that, at times, brought the audience to their feet mid-performance while many in the audience mouthed the words to each iconic number as if they were reliving their past.

Filled with several subplots, the main thrust of Rock of Ages revolves around the relationship between barback Drew Boley (Logan Traver) and budding actress Sherrie Christian (Shelby Varra).

I had the privilege of seeing two understudies in these lead roles at my performance. There is always a sense of trepidation when understudies are announced; however, this could not be further from the truth. Both Traver and Varra stepped up to the plate and nailed their performances from start to finish. Both were exceedingly vulnerable and appealing, managing to interject genuine chemistry into their performances.

As the narrator and host for the performance, Lonny (Nick Madson) guided us through the maze of storylines that bounced off the ’80s rock beat. He captured a sense of fun and inclusion that swept through the production.

The entire cast was stacked like an ‘80s hairdo—high, bold, and not afraid to go big. Special shoutouts go to Carter Edward Smith, who made Dennis Dupree the most lovable bar-owning burnout this side of the Sunset Strip; Shannon Foley, who turned Regina into a firebrand with a protest sign in one hand and comic timing in the other; Thurzday, whose Justice was half spiritual guide, half velvet hammer; Charlie Schmidt who played into Hertz Klinemann’s stern, buttoned-up bravado with just the right wink of absurdity; scene-stealing Cole Emarine as Franz Klinemann and Joshua Bess, who swaggered through Stacee Jaxx like he was born in a leather vest.

Indeed, Kelly Van Oosbree has assembled one of the most talented casts around. She puts them through their paces with vigor and thrilling attention to detail. Her choreography is energetic and perfectly executed. There are many highly punctuated moments throughout the performance that rest squarely on the shoulders of a strong director with a wealth of ingenuity. Van Oosbree does not disappoint and continues to shine as a preeminent director in the Denver metropolitan area.  

In the end, Rock of Ages isn’t just a jukebox musical—it’s a memory set to music, an arrow aimed straight at the heart. And as the final notes echoed through the Pace Center, what lingered wasn’t just the sound of electric guitars, but the unmistakable charge of a show that dared its audience to dream louder, to love bigger, and to sing until the lights came up. Playing through July 20 only, Rock of Ages is one not to be missed.