Anthony David Lawson has directed and performed in a great diversity of plays and musicals-from psychological dramas, like Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf and The Mercy Seat, to rollicking comedies, like Something Funny Happened On The Way To the Forum and Santaland Diaries. It's hard to classify Lawson's latest directing endeavor-the musical Rock of Ages for Thalian Association. Even if you've never seen the musical, you probably know all the music already-hits from 1980s from Journey, Styx, Bon Jovi, Twisted Sister...lots of glam bands we love/love to hate/know the lyrics either way. Naturally, the audience is invited to dig in the closet for something 80s-appropriate for the evening to get the full experience.
Lawson says the show is reminiscent of an 80s movie and is pure fun. As you can see from the photo above, he's definitely committed. Listen to him talk about the show above.
The show is onstage at Thalian Hall Thursdays-Sundays through October 9. Thursday-Saturday showtimes are 7:30 pm; Sundays at 3:00. Tickets are available at the door, by telephone at 910-632-2285 or online.
The songs:
"We Built This City" by Starship
"Nothing But a Good Time" by Poison
"Keep On Lovin' You" by REO Speedwagon
"I Wanna Rock" by Twisted Sister
"Too Much Time on My Hands" by Styx
"Renegade" by Styx
"Oh Sherrie" by Steve Perry
"Waiting For a Girl Like You" by Foreigner
"Shadows of the Night" by Pat Benatar
"Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey
"Heaven" by Warrant
"The Search is Over" by Survivor
"High Enough" by Damn Yankees
"The Final Countdown" by Europe
"I Want to Know What Love Is" by Foreigner
"Here I Go Again" by Whitesnake
"To Be With You" by Mr. Big
"Every Rose Has Its Thorn" by Poison
"Can't Fight This Feeling" by REO Speedwagon
"Wanted Dead or Alive" by Bon Jovi
"Cum On Feel the Noize" by Quiet Riot
"Any Way You Want It" by Journey
"Heat of the Moment" by Asia
"Sister Christian" by Night Ranger
"More Than Words" by Extreme