Rock never dies

I wanna rock and roll all night: That party anthem from glam rockers Kiss could well encapsulate the five-time Tony-nominated Broadway musical, Rock Of Ages, which premieres in 
Singapore this Wednesday, fresh from their US tour.

Rock Of Ages is set in Los Angeles’ Sunset Strip. The year is 1987 and the story follows Drew (played by Dominique “Dom” Scott) from South Detroit, and small-town girl Sherrie (Shannon Mullen), who share the common dream of making it big in Los Angeles. There, they meet Stacee Jaxx (Joshua Hobbs), an established rocker who lives up to the sexed-and-drugged-up persona of a rock star.

While most here might recognise the movie version of the musical (which featured Tom Cruise in a so-bad-it’s-good performance as Stacee Jaxx), the cast of this version of the musical said the inevitable comparisons between the movie and stage production won’t faze them one bit.

“Our performances are actually completely different so we’re 
not worried,” said Hobbs.

Mullen added: “The thing that (the audience) actually places the most expectation on is the music.”

And of course loads of ’80s rock music is what you’ll get: From I Can’t Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon to Wanted Dead Or Alive by Bon Jovi, the musical is peppered with popular singalong anthems by big-haired bands.

There is only one tiny challenge belting out such iconic ’80s rock tunes: The majority of the main cast were mere babies in the decade. Scott was born in 1988, Mullen in 1987 and Hobbs in 1985.

Their solution? Look to older family members. “My dad was a rock guitarist, so before school every morning he would put on classic rock,” said Scott. “Growing up, I was listening to Aerosmith, AC/DC, Led Zepplin — very similar to the types of songs we do (on the show).”

Hobbs would sneak into his older brother’s room just to listen to his ’80s rock albums (“I would get into so much trouble!” he laughed); while Mullen relied on her uncle. “He was definitely an ’80s kid,” she said. “So all the stuff that I listened to (while) visiting their house would be that ’80s rock sound.”

Once we started talking music, it was impossible to stop, so we dug a little further into their musical 
preferences.

Q: Which ’80s rocker would you love to be?

Scott: I was born in the ’80s so ... Dom Scott!

Mullen: Definitely Joan Jett.

Hobbs: Axl Rose.

Q: What’s usually on your playlists?

Scott: Truthfully, and this is going to sound horrible, I’ve been listening to myself a lot (Laughs). But it’s because I’m getting ready to release my solo album and I want to make sure everything is perfect. Otherwise, Dirty Loops — they’re my jam. Mariana’s Trench would be the second band I’m currently listening to.

Mullen: I listen to a lot of pop, especially throwback ’90s pop!

Hobbs: I’m currently listening to Sam Smith, MAX, and I have a playlist of songs from the ’80s for when I’m working out at the gym.

Q: What would you say is the best song to shower to?

Scott: Dirty Man by Joss Stone.

Mullen: Anything by Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera — basically whatever I can sing along and dance to, without falling over!

Hobbs: I think I would like to put on Feeling Good by Michael Buble.

Q: How about your pick for a tune to cook to?

Scott: Anything by Frank Sinatra.

Mullen: Me too! He makes me feel really classy when I try to cook.

Hobbs: I would probably put on some John Cougar Mellencamp.

Q: Lastly, what is the best music to make love to?

Scott: There’s really no better baby-making music than Robin Thicke, especially some of his earlier stuff.

Mullen: Are you serious? (Laughs) This is so embarrassing, but anything by Robin Thicke, too.

Hobbs: Oh that’s funny! Let me ask my fiancee first! I think we’ll go with Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Leppard.

Rock Of Ages runs from Aug 6 to 24, 
8pm (also 1pm on Sat and Sun) at 
Resorts World Theatre, Resorts World 
Sentosa. Tickets from S$75 to S$175 
from SISTIC. For more details, visit 
http://www.rockofagesontour.com