The Lake Shore High School musical is turning up the volume with this year’s musical, Rock of Ages. Packed with big dreams, loud music and nonstop energy, the show brings classic 1980s rock to the stage.
According to director Raymond Filipek, Rock of Ages is about more than just music. “It’s really about three things,” he said. “It’s a love story about two people who want fame in the entertainment industry. It’s about fighting for what you believe in. But mainly it’s about having fun, not taking life too seriously and finding your happiness where you are.”
Filipek chose Rock of Ages because he wanted to do something different. He explained that it is his favorite jukebox musical, one that uses songs not originally written for it. He also wanted to move away from only doing super popular or Disney-style shows and try something students and audiences were less familiar with.
The music is straight out of the 80s. Audiences will hear rock songs from bands and artists such as Bon Jovi, Poison, Whitesnake and Journey. There are guaranteed to be at least one or two songs that everyone will recognize.
This show is also different from past productions. It is the first musical the department has done that is not aimed at kids or a typical “family” audience. The show includes more mature humor and themes, with a PG-13 rating. For the first time, a live band called Morbid Massacre will perform songs as the fictional band Arsenal.
Rehearsals are going well. The cast is right where they need to be and excited to put the show on. Fillipek said, “[One of the greatest challenges of putting on the show was] getting everyone to buy into a show that the students didn’t know anything about, all of them had never heard of the music or the show…But once everyone bought in and found their love for the show, it took off.”
Filipek believes the audience will be drawn in from the very first chords of the first song. He promised it would be loud, exciting and unforgettable. Adults, especially parents, will really enjoy this show. Some moments feel more like a concert than a traditional musical, which will bring in people who don’t always love theater.
“Every show we’ve done since 2023 just gets better and more ambitious,” Filipek said. “This is our most ambitious show yet. It’s something people can really get behind and just have fun watching.”
With loud music, big energy and a cast ready to rock, Rock of Ages is shaping up to be one of the most exciting musicals Lake Shore has done.
Show Dates and Times
Rock of Ages will be performed four times:
- Thursday, January 29 at 7:00 PM
- Friday, January 30 at 7:00 PM
- Saturday, January 31 at 1:00 PM- Understudy Show
- Saturday, January 31 at 7:00 PM
Tickets are available at:
https://lshsmusical.ludus.com/index.php
Cast
Lonny Barnett – Ashley Geib
Dennis Dupree – Ellie Mitchener-Rubino
Drew Boley – Collin Taylor
Sherrie Christian – Brielle Starks
Stacee Jaxx / Father – Donovan Ripari
Justice Charlier / Mother – Aubree Giacona
Anita Bath – Meghan Creson
Hilda Klineman – Kara Lawfield
Franz Klineman – Leo Louwers
Mayor / Ja’Keith Gill / Constance Sack – Allison Neibel
Waitress 1 – Angel Lebow
Waitress 2 – Zoe Pierce
Waitress 3 – Elizabeth Schoof
Waitress 4 – Loriana York
Protestors – Mayzie Gray, Kahlia Daugherty, Zoey Brocker
Understudy Cast
Drew Boley – Donovan Ripari
Sherrie Christian – Meghan Creson
Stacee Jaxx / Father – Zoe Pierce
Justice Charlier / Mother – Angel Lebow
Anita Bath – Aubree Giacona
Waitress 1 – Elizabeth Schoof
Waitress 2 – Loriana York
Waitress 3 – Brielle Starks
