The Southwestern College Summer Theatre Festival will present “Rock of Ages” on Friday and Saturday, June 29 and 30, at 7:30 p.m., and on Sunday, July 1, at 2 p.m., in the Richardson Performing Arts Center in the Christy Administration Building on the campus of Southwestern College.  

“Rock of Ages” is a rock/jukebox musical built around classic rock songs from the 1980s, especially from the famous glam metal bands of that decade. The musical features songs from Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Steve Perry, Poison, Whitesnake, and Europe among other well-known rock bands. 

According to director Allyson Moon, the setting for “Rock of Ages” is the tail end of the big, bad, rockin’ 1980s in Hollywood.  The Bourbon Room, home of rock star Stacee Jaxx (Matt Berthot) is in danger of closing.  Drew (Kamdon Fuqua) longs to take the stage as the next big thing (and longs for small-town girl Sherri, fresh off the bus from Kansas with stars in her eyes).  But the rock and roll fairytale is about to end when German developers sweep into town with plans to turn the fabled Sunset Strip into just another capitalist strip mall.

The musical contains some adult content and language. Book is by Chris D'Arienzo,
Along with Moon directing, Matt Berthot is the musical director, Aiden Wells Filbert is the assistant musical director, and Sheila Harding is the choreographer. 

Other cast members include Kaela Massey as Sherrie; Jack Warring as Lonny; Seth Bate as Dennis Dupree; Julianna Smarsh as Regina; John Rohr as Hertz Klinemann; Brant Cotta as Franz Klinemann; Ondreya Seahorn as Justice; Chris Rogers as Father; Raynee Case as Mother; Garrett Bogre as Mayor; Jessica Burk as Waitress #1; Harper Bartel, Hannah Breshears, and Jennifer Warren as Bourbon Club Waitresses; Ryan Pangracs as Ja’Keith; Zane Butler as Joey Primo; Emma Bate as Constance; Avery Hogan as the Sleazy Movie Producer; T. J. Ziegler  as the Guitarists/Band Members/Ensemble; Jessica Burk, Harper Bartel, Hannah Breshears, and Jennifer Warren as Venus Club Dancers; and Emma Bate, Maddie Cantu, Raynee Case, Megan Dougherty, Clover Maples, Summer Markley, Delaney Smith, Aubrey Persinger, Sophie Sarnacki, Sydnee Sisk, Garrett Bogre, Zane Butler, Avery Hogan, Matthew Mattocks, John Moberly, Ryan Pangracs, and Chris Rogers as Ensemble of Rockers, Dancers, Bourbon Room Patrons, Waitresses, Waiters, Bartenders, Church Choir Members, Groupies, Back-up Singers, Riot Police, Protesters, Rock Video MTV Dancers, Homeless People, etc.

Ticket prices are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $6 youth or students.  Individuals can order tickets by calling (620) 221-7720, online at https://www.showclix.com/event/rockfoages, or by emailing boxoffice@sckans.edu.