It seems that “in this economy” (we’re going to start putting that in quotes from now on. Apparently it’s now a requisite lead to any cultural news story), theatre-goers are looking for more perks on Broadway than just an overpriced souvenir program to take home at the end of the night. So why not get them sloshed? Perhaps in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day (erm, or not), producers of Rock of Ages have announced that they’re starting to serve drinks to patrons during the show. We can foresee just a few problems with this.
First of all, we can only imagine that these drinks will be incredibly overpriced. If you’re paying an arm and a leg for the tickets, you’ll probably have to shill out another appendage for a seabreeze. Second, are you familiar with this show, Rock of Ages? We weren’t, but quickly found out why: It’s basically a two-hour karaoke fest of hits by Bon Jovi, White Snake, and Foreigner — starring American Idol-almost Constantine Maroulis. Dismissing for a moment why anyone would go to this when they can hear all of these tunes in any dive bar, alcohol, we have a feeling, would only encourage raucous audience sing-alongs. Which are almost always better left for dive bars. Karaoke bars, maybe.
Don’t get us wrong: we’re happy to incorporate alcohol into plenty of usually sober endeavors: Shamrock Shakes, for example. Or, we really appreciated the full bars we found in London cinemas. And, for other shows — Cabaret comes to mind — it might actually enhance the show to have table service during the production. But we kind of already want to kill the drunk kids slurring into the mic over a Journey song at our local’s Rock ‘n Roll karaoke night. Why would we pay good, hard-earned money — “in this economy,” especially — to be trapped in a theater with over 100 of them?
Comments (6)
The show is amazing… you should see it before you bash it…. just sayin'
ditto Terry above. You really should do your homework first. How can you possibly criticize a show w/o seeing it? This show started off-broadway ending it's run to critical acclaim. The movie rights have already been purchased. This show, and ALL of the actors/performers are amazing. It's absolutely nothing but a good time. And that's exactly what we need "in this economy".
Seriously. How can you prejudge something you haven't even seen and know nothing about? And is it a crime to just want to have some fun – while listening to magnicent vocal performances, watching amazing choreography and brilliant acting? This is a show that has as much fun as it has heart. It's a comedy. You'll laugh, you'll sing, and you may even cry a little. They served drinks when the show ran at the New World Stages in the fall – A non-issue of the magnitude you describe. AND, they have undercut all their ticket prices to be more sensitive to the current economic times. Nothing higher than $99. You should go check it out. I believe you'll come out smiling no matter how hard you try not to. You might even be inclined to want to hug the star. ;)
I'm betting you haven't seen Rock of Ages yet since you equate this critically acclaimed musical with a 'karaoke fest.' At the very least, read the reviews- then get yourself over to the Brooks Atkinson Theater and see the show for yourself.
As for drink prices, they were cheaper than my local pub- and I don't live anywhere near NYC..
Per the New York Times review, it doesn't sound like Leah was that far off the mark, my little mullets: "The flash-and-trash ambience — in Beowulf Boritt’s sets, Gregory Gale’s costumes and Jason Lyons’s lights — is on the mark, and Kristin Hanggi’s direction never lags. But Ms. Barrett, who has a pretty voice, is overwhelmed by Walter Trarbach’s echoey sound production and can’t find her inner Joan Jett. And where is the shredding? A wailing guitar solo? (A fleeting teaser near the end doesn’t qualify.) The show winds up, inevitably, with Journey’s anthem “Don’t Stop Believin’.” With “Rock of Ages,” that’s easier said than done."
To all the Journey fans above: fair enough. I'm afraid I won't be persuaded to see this show — even though I have seen positive reviews (on MTV.com and Rolling Stone!), but that's due more to my own distaste for '80s hair metal. If I'm going to spend 50-99 bucks to see a play, i don't want to be sitting next to a drunk dude singing Twisted Sister tunes. Just personal preference.
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