John Lloyd, Taylor Baxley, Drake King, Kelsey Crews, Tim Spears, and Thor Raines. Photo by Kelly Crittendon.
Market Theatre and Downtown Anderson are excited to bring the Broadway musical Rock of Ages to Carolina Wren Park beginning September 14-25, 2023. Rock of Ages features songs from Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Steve Perry, Poison, and more. Some favorite songs from the ’80s include “We Built This City”, “Don’t Stop Believing”, “Here I Go Again” and others that will have you on your feet from the first notes.
If you have attended other musicals at Market Theatre, including the recent productions of Kinky Boots and Rent, you know how much you wanted to sing along with your favorite songs. Everyone waits for that big finale song like “Raise You Up/Just Be” from Kinky Boots to finally get on their feet and sing along. Well, you don’t have to wait with Rock of Ages. The outdoor setting with a LIVE BAND is the perfect place to bring out your best live rock concert attitude.
The Whiskey A Go Go Club in Hollywood, CA. Photo credit to The World Famous Whisky A Go Go Club.
This musical’s story is about Sherrie, a small-town girl, coming to Los Angeles with dreams of becoming an actress. She meets someone who works at the Bourbon Club. This musical is set on Sunset Strip at the fictional Bourbon Club inspired by the Whiskey a Go-Go. Her new friend introduces her to the owner Dennis. Dennis is a former rock star with a lot of connections. Dennis gives Sherrie a job at the club. The obstacle for them all is that gentrification has come to the city. The mayor and a group of developers want to demolish the Bourbon Club. Stacee Jaxx, the lead singer in one of the top bands of the day, is convinced to play the last show at the club to try and save it, but Stacee Jaxx is kicked out of his own band before the night is over. You will have to see the show to see who wins and if the club is saved.
Portrait of Augustus M. Toplady, writer of the hymn “Rock of Ages”. Photo credit to the National Portrait Gallery.
A question I get from people who aren’t familiar with this musical is if it is about the favorite old hymn “Rock of Ages”. While the answer is no, the hymn and this musical have something in common. The hymn “Rock of Ages” was written in the late 1700s by Augustus M. Toplady. He was trapped in a bitter storm at sea and took refuge in a cove behind a large rock. The rock gave him a place to hide from the ravages of the wind and seas and gave him hope.
Much like the rock in the old hymn, the music of the ‘80s gave listeners a sense of escape from the ravages of what was happening in society. The ‘80s were a time of turmoil and political unrest. Unemployment, protests, strikes, and violence were prevalent. Materialism and consumerism were exploding. Television news inundated the viewers with scenes of war, turbulence, and police brutality. John Lennon was shot and killed outside of his home. The AIDS crisis took the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. Musicians and artists wanted to make a difference.
The Catonsville Nine burning draft papers in May of 1968. Photo by William L. Laforce/Baltimore Sun.
A recent Amazon miniseries Daisy Jones and the Six based on the book Taylor Jenkins Reid was inspired by the story of Fleetwood Mac. This was a popular band in the ‘70s and ‘80s. One of the musicians is trying to break into the music business. He wrote a song called “Never More” about the Catonsville Nine (a group that protested the Vietnam War). He takes it to a producer who “vehemently tells him no, groaning about him being Bob Dylan. Enough with the political stuff. No one needs reminding that the world is a mess. People want to sing, dance, and feel good again, and feel hope….”
Not only did the musicians of the ‘80s give listeners an escape and hope, but they also pushed societal boundaries through their music and began to impact larger causes through their fame and influence as musicians. The music was a chance for the artists to gain bigger voices to impact bigger causes. “We Are the World” from 1985 sold over 20 million copies (approx. 63 million dollars) to go towards humanitarian aid in Africa. Michael Jackson used his money and fame to support the United Negro College Fund which helped disenfranchised young adults obtain an education. Madonna was another major influential artist in the ‘80s who pushed the limits of what was considered proper and socially acceptable in clothing, hair, and being open about sexuality. Freddie Mercury shared his battle with AIDS. His life and death raised awareness and had a huge impact on research for AIDS. There is power in music and the arts.
USA for Africa recording “We Are the World” in 1985. Photo by Everett Collection/Rex Features.
So, while this musical has nothing to do with a beloved older hymn, the music lifts spirits and gives hope that things can change just as the rock gave Toplady courage and hope from the storm. Market Theatre brings this same spirit to Anderson with its mission of “The Arts are for Everyone.” Market Theatre believes that “theatre has the power to better our community by inspiring empathy and giving artists, audiences, and students alike the ability to see the world through someone else’s eyes.”
You will want to come to Carolina Wren Park with your blanket or lawn chairs and make yourself comfortable for this amazing show. There will be food and drinks available from local restaurants. If you would prefer a front-row view of the show, tickets for reserved seating are available. You might want to find some leather, studded clothes, bandannas, ripped tees, spandex, and neon clothes for the event. Mullets and wild hair are recommended!
Remember this event is FREE to attend. Picnics and coolers are welcome, but no glass or alcohol. This event will be rain or shine. The venue for rain will be the pavilion next to the park. Market Theater along with sponsors including the City of Anderson, Clever Techs, and the season sponsor Groucho’s Deli (they are close enough to grab a sandwich to bring to the event) are ready to rock it out with you!
Photo by Kelly Crittendon.
Rock of Ages runs in Carolina Wren Park in downtown Anderson September 14 - 17 & 22 - 25 at 7:30 pm. Visit markettheatre.org/tickets for reserved seats. Otherwise, show up early, claim your seat on the grass, and grab a drink from concessions and a bite to eat from a local food truck or Groucho’s!
