Displaying items by tag: Cherry Torres
Drury Lane's "Rock of Ages" "Ain't nothin" but a good time"
For Chicagoans that grew up in the 1980’s music scene, we remember favorite rock clubs such as The Thirsty Whale, Chances R and Dirty Nellies where spandex and rayon were the materials of choice and eye-liner on Aqua-net sprayed, long-haired guys was all the rage. For the glam rock scene, Chicago was always the minor league affiliate (Single A) to its Los Angeles big brother, where new bands seemingly broke out nearly every week. Almost grinding hair bands out akin to a factory assembly line, Los Angeles set the bar for rock bands all across the world, its clubs The Whiskey a Go Go, Troubadour and The Roxy stepping stones for the next big thing. In “Rock of Ages” the hilarious 1980's musical, we are taken to Los Angeles where the fictional Bourbon Room, one of the last rock hold outs, is under the threat of eminent domain as big money developers have other plans for the property.
Club owner Dennis (riotously played by Chicago favorite Gene Weygandt) runs The Bourbon Room with his sidekick and fellow rocker Lonny (Nick Druzbanski), who also serves as the play’s narrator. Realizing the club’s days are numbered, the two decide to go all out by bringing back Arsenal, a major band that got the start from The Bourbon Room, to play their final show with lead singer and egomaniac, Stacee Jaxx, who is off to pursue a solo career.
And what would an 80’s musical be without a cheesy love story? Bar back and aspiring musician, Drew, is instantly love struck when Dennis hires Sherrie (of course a hopeful actress) to be the club’s new waitress. From there we root for The Bourbon club, along with those protesting the new corporate development, and also for Drew and Sherrie to find love.
“Rock of Ages” is a fun time capsule filled with 80’s rock classics that includes Warrant’s “Heaven”, Journey’s “Don’t stop Believin’”, Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It”, “Extreme’s “More than Words” and many, many more. Though a parody of the era, “Rock of Ages” is an entertaining tribute to an age in music that, though considered kitschy by some, left a major impact in the world of music. The musical makes several 80’s refences that can’t help but make us forty-to-fifty-somethings laugh, such as Drew’s date with Sherrie where he tries to romance her with a four-pack of Bartles & James wine coolers.
The show boasts as good of a cast as one could ask for. Adam Michaels as self-aggrandizer and vulgar lead singer, Stacee Jaxx, is absolutely hysterical in the role. His moments are plenty as he puts on full display his great knack for physical comedy along with some pretty raging vocals. And as one who has seen this production more times than I remember, I can say quite confidently that Nick Druzbanski may just be the best Lonny I have seen yet. Druzbanski really fires on all cylinders and is a comedic whirlwind, also contributing nicely with strong vocals, certainly deserving a Fogmaster 5000 for a performance nothing short of outstanding.
Notable vocal performances are aplenty in this production with both Cherry Torres as Sherrie and Russell Mernaugh as Drew impressing with their singing prowess in number after number. Both skilled singers as they are actors, Torres and Mernaugh also spark a wonderful chemistry and are able to deliver plenty of funny moments. Though many, other performances of note are Donica Lynn, who sings beautifully when called upon and Nick Cosgrove who nails the role of Franz, the flamboyant German son of developer Hertz, who draws a laugh in just about every scene he occupies.
“Rock of Ages” is silly fun. It’s a campy drive down memory lane. It’s highly recommended. It’s also part concert, as a live band plays from a stage upon the stage throughout the show, tasty guitar licks and all. For some, they will relive the highly memorable era, for others they will receive a tongue-in-cheek glimpse of a time when the Los Angeles rock scene churned out hair bands like Motley Crue, Poison and Ratt.
With Falls theatrical productions in full bloom, this is a must see.
“Rock of Ages” is being performed at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook through October 15th. For tickets and/or more show information, visit www.DruryLaneTheatre.com.
32C This Weekend: Ballet, Opera, and Mythic Theatre Light Up Chicago
18 March 2026 in Now PlayingChicago is bursting with theatrical imagination this weekend, and three standout productions are redefining what live performance can be. At…
Citadel Theatre announces RUTHLESS! THE MUSICAL, April 15 – May 17
18 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreCast and production team have been announced for Citadel Theatre's 2025-26 season closing production of RUTHLESS! THE MUSICAL. It's a…
PARA.MAR Dance Theatre Debuts First-Ever Full-Length Ballet "MUJERES" April 17-18
18 March 2026 in Upcoming DanceThis April, the Chicago-based contemporary ballet company PARA.MAR Dance Theatre, debuts the world premiere of the company's first ever ballet, "MUJERES" choreographed by company…
LIVE AT THE SECOND CITY! COMEDY DANCE CHICAGO joyful show HAPPY DANCE!
18 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreComedy Dance Chicago is bringing their family-friendly show to The Second City! (Fun fact: this group was born out of…
The Ally begins at Theater Wit Monday, March 30 at 7 pm
17 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreFrom the Tony Award-winning author of The Band's Visit comes a provocative new play about identity, loyalty, and the complexities of unity.A…
Drury Lane Theatre Presents Father of the Bride April 8 – May 31, 2026
17 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreDrury Lane Theatre cordially invites you to the wedding of the season as it opens its 2026/2027 season with Father of the…
Cast announced for Open Space Arts Chicago premiere of A THIRD WAY, April 3 – 19, 2026
17 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreOpen Space Arts has announced casting for its Chicago premiere of A THIRD WAY, a sharply funny, deeply compassionate new play…
Skokie Theatre to present A Streetcar Named Desire
17 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreMadKap Productions is pleased to present the Tennessee Williams' classic play A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE for 13 live performances at the Skokie Theatre, 7924…
Joffrey Ballet completes major refresh of its Joffrey Tower
16 March 2026 in Theatre BuzzThe Joffrey Ballet has completed a major refresh of its Chicago-based home, The Joffrey Tower (10 E. Randolph Street), featuring interiors…
Reimagined Madama Butterfly at the Lyric a Masterpiece in its Own Right
16 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewCreated in 1904, Giacomo Puccini’s Madama Butterfly has become one of the world’s greatest and most popular operas. New York’s…
Riverdance 30 - The Next Generation taps into Irish heritage March 27-29 at Aurora’s Paramount Theatre
16 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThe magic of Irish dance will electrify Paramount Theatre’s iconic stage in downtown Aurora when Riverdance 30 - The Next Generation arrives…
In Lookingglass' White Rooster, Yee Conjures an Intriguing World Where Old and New Collide
15 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewWhite Rooster arrives at Lookingglass Theatre with the kind of wild, genre‑bending confidence that reminds you why this ensemble has…
National Hellenic Museum's Trial of Odysseus: Hero or Criminal?
14 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewKing Odysseus returns home to Ithaca after twenty years’ absence: ten years’ fighting the Trojan War (it takes time to…
Reservation Mayhem, One Man, Forty Voices: Mike Newquist Ignites 'Fully Committed' at The Den
14 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewGet ready - those phones are about to explode, and Sam is already spinning like a top trying to catch…
A Winning Combination: Winning Works at the Museum of Contemporary Art
13 March 2026 in Dance in ReviewIt was the flippant statement heard round the humanities. An errant comment, a sweeping generalization, and another dismissive remark towards…
Grelley Duvall Best Actress - The Chopin Theatre - Through April 12th
13 March 2026 in Now PlayingThe Grelley Duvall Show returns with the world premiere of Grelley Duvall Best Actress, written and conceived by Alex Grelle with Jesse Morgan Young, directed by Kasey…
Larkspur Productions Opens World Premiere of The Posthumous Trial of Giulia Tofana March 20th- April 5th at The Den Theatre
13 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreLarkspur Productions is pleased to announce the world premiere of The Posthumous Trial of Giulia Tofana. Directed by Cheryl Snodgrass, The Posthumous Trial of Giulia Tofana will…
Tuesdays with Morrie - Overshadowed Theatrical Productions - Through March 28th
12 March 2026 in Now PlayingWith stage adaptation of Mitch Albom's powerful New York Times Bestseller, Overshadowed Theatrical Productions will present Tuesdays with Morrie, a stage…
Bluebird Improv brings legendary comedians and improvisers, including two-time Emmy Award nominee Matt Walsh to Chicago's historic Studebaker Theater One night only: Saturday, May 16 at 7:30 p.m.
12 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreChicago's Fine Arts Building is excited to bring the legendary comedians and improvisers of Bluebird Improv to the historic Studebaker Theater (410 S. Michigan Avenue) for…
32C! Our Top Weekend Picks includes Cats, The Play That Goes Wrong and Changing Channels
11 March 2026 in Now PlayingChicago theatre is firing on all cylinders right now, and this weekend lines up three productions that each showcase a…
IDENTITY PERFORMING ARTS Presents Spring Concert 2026 “EFFERVESCENT”
10 March 2026 in Upcoming DanceIdentity Performing Arts presents “Effervescent” with two original dance premieres: “Enthralled" created by Artistic Director, Ginny Ching Yin Lo, and…
World Premiere BOTH from Teatro Vista Productions & Steppenwolf Theatre Company
10 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreSteppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation’s premier ensemble theater company, and Teatro Vista Productions are pleased to announce the world premiere…
IDLE MUSE THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS THE THREE MUSKETEERS, MARCH 26 - APRIL 25 AT THE EDGE OFF-BROADWAY
10 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreIdle Muse Theatre Company launches its 20th anniversary season with The Three Musketeers, March 26 - April 25, written by…
Physical Theater Festival Chicago Announces 2026 Lineup and Companies for its 14th season, June 1 - 7
10 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatrePhysical Theater Festival Chicago is proud to announce the full lineup for its 13th anniversary celebration, June 1 - 7. The Festival…
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND BLUEY’S BIG PLAY RETURNS TO CHICAGO THIS YEAR!
10 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreWackadoo! Following a highly successful global tour, Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad are bringing Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show back to…
Northlight Theatre announces the inaugural season in the company's new home in Downtown Evanston
10 March 2026 in Theatre BuzzNorthlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, proudly announces its inaugural…
Static, Signals, and Surprises: City Lit’s Changing Channels Tunes In
09 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewThe year is 1952. Television is rapidly gaining popularity over radio, to the delight of some and the disgust of…
Beautifully Produced 'Two Sisters and a Piano,' But Script Misses the Mark
09 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewIn “Two Sisters and a Piano” written by Nilo Cruz and directed by Lisa Portes, we soon learn these two…
CHUCK SMITH AND HARRY LENNIX REUNITE FOR A MAJOR REVIVAL OF MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM, AUGUST WILSON'S ONLY PLAY SET IN CHICAGO, APPEARING AT THE GOODMAN STARTING MARCH 28
09 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreNearly 30 years after its box-office-record-setting 1997 Chicago premiere production, August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom returns to The Goodman, helmed by Chicago…
Open Space Arts' Chicago premiere of A THIRD WAY, begins Friday, April 3
09 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreOpen Space Arts has announced casting for its Chicago premiere of A THIRD WAY, a sharply funny, deeply compassionate new play…
Latest Articles
-
32C This Weekend: Ballet, Opera, and Mythic Theatre Light Up Chicago
Written by Ken PayneChicago is bursting with theatrical imagination this weekend, and three standout productions are redefining what live performance can be. At the Museum of Contemporary Art, Joffrey Ballet’s Winning Works transforms the stage into a kinetic playground where emerging choreographers experiment… -
PARA.MAR Dance Theatre Debuts First-Ever Full-Length Ballet "MUJERES" April 17-18
Written by Buzz Center StageThis April, the Chicago-based contemporary ballet company PARA.MAR Dance Theatre, debuts the world premiere of the company's first ever ballet, "MUJERES" choreographed by company founder and artistic director Stephany Martinez at the Reva & David Logan Center for the Arts, located at 915 E. 60th St.,… -
Citadel Theatre announces RUTHLESS! THE MUSICAL, April 15 – May 17
Written by Buzz Center StageCast and production team have been announced for Citadel Theatre's 2025-26 season closing production of RUTHLESS! THE MUSICAL. It's a gleefully twisted satire that skewers Broadway classics like GYPSY and MAME, as well as cult films such as THE BAD…
-
LIVE AT THE SECOND CITY! COMEDY DANCE CHICAGO joyful show HAPPY DANCE!
Written by Buzz Center StageComedy Dance Chicago is bringing their family-friendly show to The Second City! (Fun fact: this group was born out of a Second City Training Center class back in 2014). The show is a high-energy laugh-riot for ages 5 to 95. Comedy…
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.