‘Rock of Ages’ National Tour Schedule

Constantine will headline the National Rock of Ages Tour starting next month.  The following locations are on the Rock of Ages website with links to each theater for ticket purchase.

Chicago, IL September 21 – October 3, 2010 – Bank of America Theatre
Boston, MA – October 5 – 17, 2010 – Colonial Theatre
Minneapolis, MN – October 19 – 24, 2010 – The Orpheum
Cincinnati, OH – October 26 – November 7, 2010 – Aronoff Center
Detroit, MI – November 9 – 21, 2010 – Fisher Theater
Pittsburgh, PA – November 23 – 28, 2010 – Benedum Center
Baltimore, MD – November 30 – December 5, 2010 – Hippodrome
Columbus, OH – December 7 – 12, 2010 – Palace Theatre
Fort Lauderdale, FL – December 28 – Janaury 9, 2011 – Broward Center
Orlando, FL – January 11 – 16, 2011 – Bob Carr PAC
Clearwater, FL – January 18 – 23, 2011 – Ruth Eckerd
Louisville, KY – January 25 – 30, 2011 – Kentucky Center
Seattle, WA (close Sunday Mat) – February 8 – 13, 2011 – Paramount
Los Angeles, CA – February 15 – 27, 2011 – The Pantages Theater
Costa Mesa, CA – March 1 – 6, 2011 – Segerstrom Hall
San Francisco, CA – March 8 – April 10, 2011 – Curran
Indianapolis, IN – April 12 – 17, 2011 – Clowes Hall
Des Moines, IA – April 19 – 24, 2011 – Civic Center
Kansas City, MO – May 3 – 8, 2011 – Music Hall
San Antonio, TX – May 10 – 15, 2011 – Majestic
Dallas, TX – May 17 – 29, 2011 – AT&T Center
Houston, TX – May 31 – June 12, 2011 – Hobby Center
Denver, CO – June 14 – 26, 2011 – Buell Theatre

Constantine’s Prepares to Leave NY ‘Rock of Ages’ to go on Tour

There was a nice mention about Constantine’s final weeks at Rock of Ages in the New York Post today.

* Rock of Ages: Fans of ’80s hair metal and schlock rock — or Journey — won’t want to miss “American Idol” star Constantine Maroulis’ final appearances in Broadway’s “Rock of Ages” at the Brooks Atkinson Theater (256 W. 47th St.; 800-982-2787; rockofagesmusical.com; $45 to $120).

“It’s bittersweet, but by then I’ll have been doing the show for two years, and it’s time to move on,” says Maroulis, who takes his final bow on Sept. 9 and will join the traveling cast as it heads to Chicago. Speaking about his role as aspiring rock star Drew Bowie, Maroulis says, “It’s not the kind of role you get bored of.”

No doubt the Brooklyn-born, Wyckoff, NJ-raised “American Idol” star will miss singing on Broadway. “Sure, there’s a buzz around me leaving — I’m the hometown ‘Idol’ boy,” says Maroulis. “You become a family and you go through a lot and learn a lot about the people around you — sometimes more than you want to.”

Don’t stop believing!

As Constantine prepares to go on the road with the Rock of Ages touring company, his replacement for the Broadway show was selected. The announcement was made by Constantine when he told Joey Taranto that he had been selected to do the role of Drew on Broadway.

Constantine giving Joey the good news

The moment was captured on video by Broadway.com.

Joey was a vacation swing in the Drew role for Constantine earlier this year. Good luck to Joey on his new role!

‘Rock of Ages’ Performance at Bryant Park

Constantine and cast members from Rock of Ages were recently a part of New York’s Best of Broadway series.

Each summer, the Best of Broadway is presented free on Thursdays at the noon hour in Bryant Park.  The Broadway lunch hour performances are an opportunity for people to watch actors from Broadway shows sing a few songs from their shows.  It’s an outdoor stage and it’s free.  The costs are picked up by sponsors.  Rock of Ages was on the schedule on Friday, July 23.  Cast members who were there from the show are shown in this photo.

Picture courtsey of Broadwayworld.com - Jennifer Foote , Derek St. Pierre , Michele Mais, Constantine Maroulis, Emily Padgett & Angel Reed

Constantine and Emily Padgett

Temperatures were already very high that day as the record heat wave was in full swing.  But people who were there reported back that it did not hold the Rock of Ages crew back from giving their all to a performance that got people up on their feet.  They performed “Here I Go Again,” “High Enough,” and finished with the show’s finale song “Don’t Stop Believing.”

‘Rock of Ages’ performance on ‘America’s Got Talent’

Constantine and his Rock of Ages co-star Emily Padgett appeared on the summer hit television show America’s Got Talent this past Wednesday, July 14. Appearing live on the first results show of the season, Constantine performed “I Want to Rock” with Dee Snider of Twisted Sister who made the song famous back in the 80′s. Joel Hoekstra, who plays lead guitar in Rock of Ages, was also onstage for the performance. Emily and Constantine sang “Don’t Stop Believing” with an ensemble of back-up dancers and a Rock of Ages band.

To see the performance, watch this video recording:

An Afternoon at Rock of Ages

I enjoyed an opportunity yesterday to see the matinee performance of Rock of Ages. There were very large crowds in the theater district and ROA had its share as well. When I arrived, the line went down the street to 8th Avenue, around the block and down from there. But the people who staff the Brooks Atkinson Theatre did their usual terrific job at getting everyone in with no problem at all. Seems like it was a sold out performance as every seat I could see both in the orchestra and mezzanine was taken. All the standing room looked taken also.

There has been one change to the theatre that I think is going to be a big help to people. Screens have been put into both the left and right sides of the extended stage so that people who have obstructed view seats can now see what is going on with the part of the stage that is blocked from their view. The screens are actually located inside a wall at the end of the extreme right and left side aisles.

The crowd was very much into the show. No rowdiness, just people who were looking to sing along and have some fun. At one point I turned around and saw both the balcony and orchestra filled with lighters in the air celebrating the moment. nice!

The show was wonderful. Constantine performed like the Tony nominee he is, and then some! I have only seen Kerry Butler do the role one other time and I really enjoy seeing her interpretation. She is an outstanding actress. So sorry she will be leaving next weekend.

Jenifer Foote was in for Lauren as Regina. She has a very beautiful voice. She played the role slightly different from Lauren (who is always good) and I enjoyed it. Also filling in was Erica Hunter playing the role of the reporter. Her interpretation as a wide eyed stunned reporter is adorable. Ericka is also a fine dancer.

Tom Lenk as Franz has really made that part his own. He is such a funny man with a beautiful voice to back him up. He’s a very soft-spoken, nice guy at the stage door.

He’s leaving around March 20th. If you haven’t seen him do this role yet, try to get in to see both him and Kerry while they are still there.

Is it possible that this cast could get any better? I don’t know how, but every time I come from this show, I feel like it’s got something new to see and experience. The cast is a consummate group of professionals who obviously know how to keep their roles fresh and very entertaining. Mitch Jarvis and Adam Danheisser have been in since the show opened Off-Broadway in October 2009. Yet every time I see them, I’m wowed. The same is true with Paul Schoeffler who left for a brief time to do another show, but returned. So happy he did as his Hertz is so amazing to watch. Michelle Mais continues to amaze audiences as she sings some terrific songs as Justice.

James Carpinello’s Stacy Jaxx really is “a living thing!” His physicality in the role along with a wonderful singing voice makes him dynamic to watch. And his bit with the llama at the end is so funny. First time I saw that was yesterday. And I also saw Jeremy Woodard hanging out with the beaver for the first time yesterday. Both his dancing and his Joey Primo are so good. Yesterday I noticed the way people were watching him climb the pole during the ending. The group I was in was amazed at him doing this. They applauded him directly when he made it to the top. Andre Ward is such a good character actor playing the roles he does. He really gets the laughs as the mayor and he can really dance.

Also in the show were two other beautiful dancers: Angel Reed, whose picture I was able to get at the stage door and Emily Padgett, who dances and sings up a storm. Both of these ladies added so much to my enjoyment of the show. Angel is another of the originals from Off-Broadway who always gives her all to the part.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the band who supplies the most fabulous sounds of music to the show in high energy, rocking style. They also play the part of Arsenal, the fictional band in the show. They really play their parts well.

Speaking of the stage door, to say it was a mob scene is putting it mildly! It was 4 deep from the barricade to the street. Every time the door opened and a cast member came out, a large yell of appreciation was heard. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen it as crowded as yesterday on the sidewalk, but as crowded as it was, everyone seemed to be really courteous to each other.

Next to me at one point were two women who were star struck when Constantine came out. They started saying how they had followed him on Idol, but then got very quiet as he approached. I can understand that! Been there, done that too! The first picture and this one were taken from the 3 deep line.

This post got a little long, but I haven’t written about Rock of Ages in awhile. The show is coming up on celebrating its First Anniversary on Broadway soon. Long may it play!

Online Pre-Bidding has started for the ROA Broadway Bear

Online pre-bidding for The Broadway Bears XIII Auction has opened. Here is the Broadway Bear from Rock of Ages. Love the long slender legs and the signature Constantine long hair. He’s cute!

The auction will run from January 14, 2010 to February 13, 2010, the live event takes place on:

Sunday, February 14th, 2010
B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
237 W42nd Street
Begining at 6:00PM

Tickets for the event are $150 for VIP Level and $35 for General Admission. Proceeds go to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS in order to support men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS and other illnesses.

All the bears have a $500 opening bid. The ROA bear already has that bid. Next bid accepted is $550.

Bids are being accepted online. Check out the Broadway Cares website here to get all the information.

2010 Sundance Film Festival

James Carpinello, Emily Padgett, and Constantine arrive for a screening of 'Sympathy for Delicious' at the Sundance Film Festival

Constantine and fellow Rock of Ages cast members James Carpinello and Emily Padgett gave a performance last night at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT.  The music was provided by the band called Arsenal who plays at Rock of Ages on Broadway.  Their performance was at a party for the films Hesher starring Natalie Portman and Joseph Gordon Levitt and Sympathy for Delicious which stars Mark Ruffalo, Laura Linney, Orlando Bloom and Juliette Lewis.  Matt Weaver and Scott Prisand, co-owners of Corner Store Entertainment are the producers of both films.  They also are producers for Rock of Ages.

Earlier in the day, Constantine was photographed in Park City:

Other pictures were taken of him in the Lounge at The Lift:

Here is one from the performance.

Twitters describing the show included Kay Jones, a Senior Editorial Producer at CNN:

Awesome show by the @rockofages gang. Calling it a night now

and

By the way, that @ConstantineM can sing! Tried to chat w/him but too many fans taking photos

Also Hillary Weaver, a Rock of Ages producer, twittered this:

@ConstantineM & @TheJimmyCarp & Emily Padgett rocked it so hard tonight! The party was awesome!!! #SympathyforDelicious #Sundance

Photos here courtesy of wireimage.com.  There are many more at their site you can see.

Addition:  Kay Jones of CNN posted this on her blog:

1215a: Just arrived at the Bing sponsored party at Village at the Yard. The cast of Rock of Ages is on stage right now, singing some of the favorites from the show. I can’t see them as I am still waiting… Outside…. In the snow.

1220a: Made it inside! Constantine Maroulis is leading the cast in “Don’t Stop Believing”, as the crowd sings along.

1a: The show is over. Constantine and gang have come out to the room to hang with the crowd. Can’t get close enough to ask how their Sundance is going. I do overhear him say something of the effect of: “this is cool”.

Charles Isherwood, NY Times, writes about ‘Rock of Ages’

NY Times photo by Joan Marcus

When Rock of Ages opened back in April, 09, it received a very good review from the New York Times critic Charles Isherwood.  In today’s edition of the Times, Mr. Isherwood has written again about the show and it is quite a nice review.  The article is the story of his taking in a “double feature” day of theater where he first saw South Pacific and then that evening went to Rock of Ages.   Here is how he begins:

From Rodgers and Hammerstein to Bon Jovi and Whitesnake in a single day: the surrealism of it tickled. And while Broadway traditionalists might use the occasion to illustrate and deplore the precipitous decline of the musical, you’ll get no such argument from me. Granted, “Rock of Ages” is, um, no “South Pacific.” But if the colonization of Broadway by pop songbooks of varying vintages and qualities has hardly been a phenomenon wholly worthy of celebration, there are pleasures to be had, and “Rock of Ages” is definitely one of them.

Amongst his comments about ROA, he says this about Constantine:

Constantine Maroulis, the “American Idol” competitor with lungs of steel, has proved himself to be a winning, sweet-spirited and completely natural actor in the lead role of Drew, negotiating the bridge between sincerity and spoof with breezy amiability.

“Lungs of steel” – wow – good way to describe that powerhouse voice.

Read the entire article online at the New York Times website.  Be sure to go to p. 2 to read the complete review of Rock of Ages.

New York Stock Exchange Tree Lighting and Announcement about ROA Tour

On Thursday, Dec. 10, Constantine, Kerry Butler, and James Carpinello joined the Twisted Sister band onstage to help rock out the Wall Street festivities as they lit the NYSE tree.

The group sang a rock version of “Oh Come All Ye Faithful” that got the crowd moving in the most frigid temperatures of the season in NYC so far. Kerry Butler performed a solo number and then Constantine and crew closed the session with “I Want to Rock.”

Reports from people who were there said that although it was bitter cold, the crowd really seemed to enjoy the performances.

Earlier that same day, Constantine twittered the following:

No @rockofages tour 4me, couldn’t work it out. Will work very hard and finish out my contract here on Broadway and move on w/luv.

Sorry it didn’t work out. But as a fan, I’m looking forward to what he will move on to.

Constantine, Rock of Ages, & VH1 – Save the Music

Constantine and many of the cast and band of Rock of Ages were a part of the VH1 Save the Music program today when they went to New York City’s PS 111 in New York City. The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring instrumental music education in American public schools, and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of each child’s complete education.

The cast gave a performance and thanks to a generous donation from the Rock of Ages producers, money was donated to PS111 to buy instruments for their band.

Good going one and all!