‘Rock of Ages’ @ The Firehouse Theatre

Show photos by Jason Anderson / Pendleton Studios

—Carol M. Rice

Late ‘80s glam rock was a trip. I know, because I was finishing college and figuring out where I fit into the real world...all while listening to songs by Journey, REO Speedwagon, and Pat Benatar. Rock of Ages has taken the nostalgic music of my late teens and early 20s and turned it into a Sunset Strip love story, currently being presented at The Firehouse Theatre.

With a book by Chris D’Arienzo and arrangements and orchestrations of the classic rock songs by Ethan Popp, Rock of Ages is a jukebox musical that manages to be campy and heartfelt even while dealing with sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll.

Lonny is our narrator, played with great charisma by Austin Bender-Davis. He’s not afraid to interact with the audience (hey, he even tried to pick me up during one of his monologues) and he can also act in a more “traditional” way. He’s got a great voice, too.

In addition to being the show’s narrator, Lonny also has a deep...friendship with Dennis (Grant Hollowell), the owner of a rock club called the Bourbon Room where Lonny hangs out. Bender-Davis and Hollowell play this up to the hilt in “Can’t Fight This Feeling.” and Hollowell obviously has a great time playing the heavy with a heart of gold.

Drew works as a busboy at the Bourbon Room but dreams of being a rock star, so he’s constantly trying to write music...but just can’t quite make it work until Dennis sets him straight. As Drew, Austin Jon Hines is perfect as the young wannabe rocker. He’s really too nice a guy for the rough neighborhood, but then he instantly falls in love with Sherrie, fresh off the bus from Kansas. As Sherrie, Brooke Matthews matches Hines’s energy and niceness, and as their stories veer apart and they each become hardened by their circumstances, they continue to be in sync emotionally until they inevitably get back together. Matthews has a wonderful voice, as does Hines, and they have excellent chemistry together—plus some great duets.

Other than Drew accidentally putting Sherrie in the “friend zone” early on, the biggest threat to their budding relationship is the arrival of sexy rock star Stacee Jaxx, played with more than ample swagger by Dayton Wilson. This role was made for Wilson, who struts around as God’s gift to women—in tight pants and no shirt—flipping his mane of dark, curly hair (not a wig) like a pro. He has arrived on the scene because he’s leaving his band, Arsenal, and Dennis has talked Jaxx into one final show at the Bourbon Room.

The Bourbon Room is in danger of being demolished by German investor Hertz Klinemann and his son Franz (played with over-the-top glee by Geoff Lutz and Trenton Mosty), but protesters—led by former city planner Regina—refuse to let it be knocked down. Briana Berk portrays Regina with tons of spunk and a dynamite singing voice; she also sneaks into the ensemble here and there, sporting a different wig and attitude. Her growing relationship with Franz is sweet and silly in exactly the right way.

While Sherrie is trying to figure out what she wants out of life while split from Drew, she spends a little time as an exotic dancer (aka stripper) at the Venus Club, run by Justice. Janette Robinson has a knockout voice and gives the character of Justice a sympathetic, maternal quality while still being a strong businesswoman. Robinson also briefly plays Sherrie’s mother and is nearly unrecognizable, her performance is so different.

Meanwhile, Drew has been approached by record producer Ja'Keith Gill (played by Shanespeare Alexander), who was impressed with Drew's performance at the club when he opened for Arsenal. Alexander doesn’t overplay the record producer, even though he and Drew want different things, and he also plays Sherrie’s father and the Mayor, differentiating them all well.

Members of the ensemble also play an army of characters; a few standouts include Hailey Hatfield as the Reporter, Zane Syjansky as one of the protesters and the Club DJ, Jordan Gibson as a protester and stripper, and Nicole Carrano as Waitress #1.

Besides the music, one of the defining characteristics of the late 1980s is the fashion. Overall, Dayna Dutton does a fabulous job as costume designer, especially for the men, but she definitely misses the mark when it comes to Sherrie’s look. Her bright blue eyeshadow is about a decade too late, and her obvious wig is more Sandra Dee than Cyndi Lauper or Madonna.

Logan Uhtenwoldt’s beautifully grimy set—complete with almost every inch of the walls covered in rock posters, Polaroids, and other period-appropriate memorabilia—makes the Bourbon Room come to life, and Mia Lindemann’s lighting design provides a dusky feel to the place, with rock concert lighting when needed.

The live band, led by music director Bryce Biffle, who is also on keyboards, is onstage and visible throughout, which was a nice touch and added to the club atmosphere. It was fun to see them interact with the actors, but I do wish they had all been in period costumes. Biffle also gets strong rock vocals from the performers, which is not always easy to do when they’re used to singing in the musical theatre style. Kudos, too, to sound designer Michael Marbry for making sure we could hear it all. [Note: The band “Arsenal’s” players are: lead guitar, Eduardo Vélez; rhythm guitar, Nate Forrister; bass, Luis Martin Moreno; drums, Kevin Cho; keys, Bryce Biffle.] Carlos Strudwick’s spirited choreography is energetic and well-suited to the performers. The ladies of the ensemble, especially, did a fabulous job with it.

Director Benjamin Keegan Arnold has put together a strong cast of players who work well together, and he obviously gets the campy nature of the overall story. Quite frankly, Lonny breaking the fourth wall on a regular basis to comment on the action and drive it forward wouldn’t work without Arnold’s solid direction. He knows how to make the more serious moments in a show like this work without dragging things down, and he keeps the pace up throughout.

Rock of Ages at The Firehouse Theatre is not for the overly conservative audience member: we actually lost a few folks at intermission, but most of us were having a great time! Just be aware that there is a little language and some references to sex and body parts. If you’re not too easily offended, though, go and have a great time!

WHEN: August 7-24, 2025
WHERE: 2535 Valley View Lane, Farmers Branch TX
WEB: thefirehousetheatre.com