Rock of Ages ends its run as the 27th longest-running show in Broadway history.
The final cast also features seven original cast members: Tony nominee Constantine Maroulis (Drew), Mitchell Jarvis (Stacee Jaxx), Adam Dannheisser (Dennis), Paul Schoeffler (Hertz), Andre Ward (Mayor/Ja’Keith Gill), Ericka Hunter (Waitress #1) and Michael Minarik (Swing).
"It's an honor to have the opportunity to come back and finish the show off as we began it," Maroulis told Playbill.com. "I think it's every actor's dream to create a role like this that becomes in a way iconic. Who knows, for me, this might be the only time this will ever happen. It has been a tremendous run. It's unlike anything that's ever been on Broadway. We found a new audience and introduced them to Broadway as well."
The cast of Rock of Ages is also taking over the Playbill Instagram today in celebration of their final day on Broadway. Check it out! “It’s hard to believe that a decade has passed since our 45-minute showcase at King King, a little dive bar on Hollywood Boulevard. That was the night Rock of Ages came to life, and what this incredible team has achieved since is nothing short of triumphant,” said producer Matthew Weaver in an earlier statement. “We landed Off-Broadway in the midst of the financial meltdown and yet, against all odds – thanks to the sheer determination, grit, naivety and enthusiasm of our dream team of creatives, actors and producers – opened on Broadway in the spring of 2009 to an overwhelming embrace from critics and audiences alike. To have that lead to the launch of over a dozen productions worldwide has been a glorious dream come true.”
“As a team we’ve experienced the greatest – and in many ways, unexpected – joys of having a hit show and being a part of the Broadway community,” added producer Jonathan Linden. “From performing at The Tony Awards, to the Super Bowl, and Times Square on New Year’s Eve, this has been the ride of a lifetime for the entire Rock of Ages family and I am so proud of what we’ve all accomplished. And on the road to our final performance, I'm thrilled our cast is one of the finest we've ever had - with seven members of the original Broadway company teamed up with some of the brightest, new talent Broadway has ever seen.”
Rock of Ages had its world premiere in January 2006 at The Vanguard Hollywood nightclub in Los Angeles, where it played a six-week engagement before opening a limited run at The Flamingo in Las Vegas in May 2006. The musical made its New York debut in October 2008 at Off-Broadway’s New World Stages, playing 110 performances before transferring to Broadway and opening to widespread acclaim at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre April 7, 2009. The musical moved to its current home, The Helen Hayes Theatre, on March 24, 2011.
In 2012, Rock of Ages recouped its capitalization of $7.25 million, in addition to all costs incurred during the show’s move from the Brooks Atkinson to the Helen Hayes.
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 and worldwide by Matthew Weaver, Michael Cohl and Jonathan Linden/S2BN Entertainment with Carl Levin, Jeff Davis, Barry Habib, Scott Prisand, Reagan Silber, Relativity Media, Janet Billig Rich and Hillary Weaver.
The Helen Hayes Theatre is located at 240 West 44th Street.
