FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Livermore Valley Arts
Contact: Ruth Egherman (925) 583-2306
Bankhead Presents Invites Audiences to ‘Nothin’ But a Good Time’
at Tri-Valley Theatre Company’s Production of Rock of Ages this January
Livermore, CA – (November 8, 2024) – Featuring over 25 totally rad ‘80s hits, Bankhead Presents is ecstatic to present ‘Broadway’s best party,’ Tri-Valley Theatre Company’s Production of Broadway’s musical comedy hit ROCK OF AGES, this winter. Hailed by The New York Times as “a seriously silly, absurdly enjoyable arena-rock musical,” this five-time Tony Award®-nominated jukebox musical, about the tail end of the classic ‘80s rock & roll era in Hollywood, is ready to ROCK the Tri-Valley. ROCK OF AGES will play for seven (7) performances January 11—26, 2025, at the beautiful Bankhead Theater located at 2400 First Street in Downtown Livermore. Tickets are on sale now online at LivermoreArts.org.
About ROCK OF AGES
It’s the tail end of the big, bad 1980s in Hollywood, and the party has been raging hard. Aqua Net, Lycra, lace, and liquor flow freely at one of the Sunset Strip’s last legendary venues, a place where sex machine Stacee Jaxx takes the stage and scantily clad groupies line up to turn their fantasies into reality. Amidst the madness, aspiring rock star (and resident toilet cleaner) Drew longs to take the stage as the next big thing (and longs for small-town girl Sherrie, fresh off the bus from Kansas with stars in her eyes). But the rock ’n’ roll fairy tale is about to end when German developers sweep into town with plans to turn the fabled Strip into just another capitalist strip mall. Can Drew, Sherrie, and the gang save the strip – and themselves – before it’s too late? Only the music of hit bands Styx, Whitesnake, and more holds the answer.
ROCK OF AGES takes audiences back to the time of big bands with big egos playing big guitar solos and sporting even bigger hair, featuring the hits of bands including Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, and more. The original production of ROCK OF AGES
opened on Broadway on April 7, 2009, where it played for 2,328 performances, currently holding the title as the 32nd longest-running show in Broadway history. To sum up this smash hit, it’s “a seriously silly, absurdly enjoyable arena-rock musical…I never would have guessed that wine coolers could age this well” (The New York Times)! This modern classic, with its story of a small-town girl, a city boy, and a rock ‘n’ roll romance on the Sunset Strip, is truly one of the current musical theatre era’s not-to-be-missed delights, gratifying musical and nostalgia desires alike, with an electric score featuring all the favorite ’80s rock anthems and power ballads, including “Every Rose has its Thorn,” “I Wanna Know What Love is,” “Here I Go Again,” and more! Note Age Recommendation: Recommended for 14 and older due to adult language and adult situations.
Presenting ROCK OF AGES, Tri-Valley Theatre Company (TVTC) is the continuing next act of Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre (a Resident Company of The Bankhead), whose name may have changed, but whose commitment to bringing high-quality theatre to the community has not gone away. With Artistic Director Brian Olkowski continuing at the helm, along with a Board of Directors led by Glen Riggs as Board President, they are furthering the company’s legacy of creating amazing musical theatre for enjoyment, enrichment, and involvement in the arts in the Tri-Valley with the new Tri-Valley Theatre Company. TVTC’s last season in 2024 saw a nearly sold-out LEGALLY BLONDE The Musical, as well as a thrilling production of Meredith Willson’s THE MUSIC MAN, kicking off TVTC’s first season in this new era on a wonderful note. Starting off its second season and third full-musical production with ROCK OF AGES, TVTC cannot wait yet again to take audiences along on an incredible journey of rock and roll all night….or at least until the curtain goes down!
Collaborating with the organization is an exciting continuing journey for Livermore Valley Arts. “We are elated to continue to see TVTC’s full productions thriving here at The Bankhead,” said LVA Director of Marketing Ruth Egherman. “It is always a treat working with Artistic Director Brian Olkowski. His energy, leadership, and vision were a huge part of the success of January’s
Legally Blonde and July’s The Music Man; we are excited to kick off 2025 in a ROCKIN’ way with TVTC in January’s ROCK OF AGES.”
The ROCK OF AGES cast includes (in order of appearance):
Lonny: Emilio Lopez (Oakland)
Justice: Larri Mariola (Tracy)
Dennis Dupree: Robert Lopez (Hayward)
Drew: Ben Stevens (Benicia)
Sherrie: Kinsey Erin (Livermore)
Father + Ensemble: AJ Amstrup (Pleasanton)
Mother + Ensemble: Lillian Kurtz (San Francisco) Regina: Hayley Finetti (Oakland)
Mayor + DJ + Ensemble (Dance Captain): Shelly McDowell (Concord) Hertz: Paul Plain (Walnut Creek)
Franz: Roberto Ruiz, Jr. (Hayward) Stacee Jaxx: Liam Cody (Concord)
Waitress #1 + Ensemble: Emma Wall (San Leandro) Ja’Keith Gill + Ensemble: Mason Garner (Mountain House) Constance + Ensemble: Anna Pan (Oakland)
Joey Primo + Ensemble: Ethan Sadkowski (Livermore) Ensemble: Gioconda (Gia) Mirra (Hercules) Ensemble: Julianna Drante (Concord)
The production features direction by Ryan Lee (Livermore), choreography by Jenny Hudson (Concord), vocal direction by Jed de Roza (Oakley), and music direction by Ann Palowitch (Pleasanton). Brian Olkowski (Dublin) and Glen Riggs (Livermore) are the producers.
Opening night for ROCK OF AGES is Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 7 pm, and the show runs through January 26, 2025. Performance times are Saturdays at 7 pm and Sundays at 1 pm, with an added matinee performance on Saturday, January 25 at 1 pm. Ticket prices are $55, with student and military discounts available by calling the box office. Special discounts of 20% for groups of 10 or more are also available. For tickets, please visit LivermoreArts.org or call 925-373-6800. Livermore Valley Arts is thrilled to be able to present this rockin’ hit production from Tri-Valley Theatre Company right here at The Bankhead to start off 2025 in an electric
way! ROCK OF AGES is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com
Tickets for all shows in the 2024-2025 Bankhead Presents season are available online, by calling 925-373-6800, or at the box office windows. For more information about Livermore Valley Arts and a complete list of events, visit LivermoreArts.org.
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Livermore Valley Arts is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit offering wide-ranging programs that provide access to the arts for the Tri-Valley community and beyond. The Bankhead Theater and Bothwell Arts Center are home to eight resident performing arts companies and over 40 studio artists and cultural arts instructors. LivermoreArts.org
Show: ROCK OF AGES
Book by Chris D’Arienzo
Arrangements and Orchestrations by Ethan Popp
Director: Ryan Lee
Choreographer: Jenny Hudson
Vocal Director: Jed de Roza
Music Director: Ann Palowitch
Producers: Brian Olkowski & Glen Riggs
Dance Captain: Shelly McDowell
Dates/Times: January 11 through January 26, 2025 (7 performances total) Saturdays at 7:00 pm*
Sundays at 1:00 pm
*Additional matinee afternoon performance on Saturday, January 25 at 1:00 pm Location: Bankhead Theater, 2400 First Street, Livermore, CA 94550 Tickets: $55 (student/military discounts available by calling the box office)
For press tickets or to schedule an interview with the director, actors, or staff, please contact LVA Director of Marketing Ruth Egherman at [email protected]. Thank you!
Dates, times, and ticket prices for other events available at www.LivermoreArts.org