Jason Goldsberry

BroadwayWorld has a first look at The 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of Rock of Ages. Rock of Ages is the '80s rock ballad blast that features the music of Styx, Joan Jett, Twisted Sister, and more. With Mickey Thomas as lead vocalist, Starship produced hits including 'We Built This City' (which appears in the production), 'Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now,' and 'Sara.'

The idea of stunt casting, the practice of taking a big name and putting them in a role just to get butts in seats, has always terrified me. And I've seen it result anywhere from the sublime such as Neil Patrick Harris killing it as "Hedwig" to the shudder inducing Molly Ringwald completely out of her depth as the world's oldest taxi dancer in "Sweet Charity". And while the 5th Avenue's couple of stunt casts, specifically rock royalty Micky Thomas of Starship as club owner Dennis and Galen Disston of the Seattle rock band Pickwick as the romantic lead Drew, in their current production of "Rock of Ages" were nowhere near the latter, when it came to delivering a line or executing some choreography, you could definitely tell the musical theater folks from the rockers. However, when it came to wailing out some amazing rock songs, those stunt casts had no equal, so all told, it amounted for a pretty awesome show. But we'll get to specifics in a minute.

The 5th Avenue Theatre has announced that Mickey Thomas, the lead singer of Starship (formerly Jefferson Starship), will star as Dennis in its sensational new production of Rock of Ages. Rock of Ages is the '80s rock ballad blast that features the music of Styx, Joan Jett, Twisted Sister, and more. With Mickey Thomas as lead vocalist, Starship produced hits including "We Built This City" (which appears in the production), "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now," and "Sara."

It would be seemingly impossible for Hale Centre Theatre in West Valley to match its most recent production, RAGTIME, in direction, artistry, technical elements, and performance. However, its new production, Disney's TARZAN, comes surprisingly close to matching its brilliance.