Nothin’ But a Good Time

Rock of Ages – Paramount Theatre

It’s official! “Here I Go Again,” and you can quote me, but this spirited, hilarious, high-powered jukebox musical, the finale to Paramount’s 10th season of Broadway shows, is “Nothin’ But a Good Time.” The incomparable Amber Mak has exuberantly directed and jubilantly co-choreographed  this energetic and enjoyable production (assisted by Sara Reinecke, Annie Jo Fischer and Charlie Ward). It’s a musical that cleverly masquerades as a nostalgic, over-the-top heavy metal rock concert. The production is basically another boy-meets-girl, boy-loses-girl, boy-gets-girl-back-again story. But, set on LA’s Sunset Strip during the mid-80’s, the best part of the show is that it strings together no less than 28 favorite musical classics from that era. 

Paramount Theatre’s high octane, professionally polished production sports a terrifically talented and versatile cast of actor/singer/dancers. It dazzles with big hair, gobs of glitter, sexy spandex, micro-mini skirts, thigh-high boots, acid-washed denim and lots of bare skin. This musical which, understandably, may not appeal to every taste, is highlighted by loud, high-pitched vocals accompanied by pulsating electric guitar, percussion and synthesizer. The production is lit by blinding concert lighting and peppered with blasts of fog erupting from the floor of the stage. As one character tells us, the fourth wall has been broken, so clapping and singing along is strongly encouraged because this show is, in essence, simply a party with a plot.

The story is simple and pretty familiar. A boy with dreams of becoming a rock star meets a girl who hopes for a glamorous life in the movies. They strike up a relationship, go their separate ways in pursuit of fame but, inevitably, end up together in the end. It’s like “The Fantasticks,” but with a headbanger rock score. There’s a subplot that provides some additional conflict, inspired by New York’s gentrification of Times Square. It involves a German father and son team who want to shut down all the loud bars and exotic clubs along Hollywood’s famed Sunset Strip and turn the area into a family-friendly mall. Along the way hit songs like “Every Rose Has It’s Thorn,” “Harden My Heart,” “We Built This City” and “Don’t Stop Believin’” move the story along.

Ms Mak’s superb cast is led by the brilliant and extremely likable Chicago actor, Kieran McCabe as Drew. He’s an unbelievable musical talent and his character exudes wide-eyed youth and a determination to achieve his goals. Matching McCabe, and making her auspicious Paramount debut, lovely Taylor DiTola portrays Sherrie. She’s a gorgeous, multitalented young Chicago actress who, I’m quite sure, we’ll be seeing much more of in the future. Both are attractive, appealing young performers with magnetic charm and an electrifying stage presence. Gifted with powerful voices capable of belting above Kara Kesselring’s electronic onstage band (and thanks to the expert musical direction by Kory Danielson), this charismatic couple easily win over the audience who cheer for them along their journey.

Other standouts in this production include the charming, incomparable Shea Coffman who’s so much fun as Lonny, the show’s goofy Narrator and the Bourbon Rooms’s Sound and Fog Man; Karl Hamilton, who will surprise his fans with his rock-n-roll talent, is almost unrecognizable as Lonny’s devoted, eternally-stoned partner, Dennis (their duet “Can’t Fight This Feeling” is one of this production’s highlights); Josh Scholl is awesome as sexy rock star Stacee Jaxx, the leader of his band, Arse Anal; and Melody A. Betts absolutely tears up the stage with her vocal talent and provides some heart as Mother, the soulful owner of the nearby erotic gentlemen’s club. Michael Ehlers hits all the right marks as the gentrifying German, Hertz; and Nick Druzbanski is joyfully jolly and almost steals the show as his flamboyant son, Franz. Nick’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” sung with spunky powerhouse belter, Carisa Gonzalez, as Regina, are a delight. She portrays a social-conscious young woman who refuses to give up her crusade to save Los Angeles from a German invasion. Together this unlikely couple add plenty of comedy and warmth to this show.

A special nod of appreciation goes to the show’s gifted unseen theatre artists, the technical team who have brought this show to life. Jeffrey D. Kmiec’s incredibly authentic-looking scenic design fills the Paramount stage with the Bourbon Room. Filled with nostalgic detail, the setting seamlessly transforms into the raunchy Venus Gentlemen’s Club, and other locales, thanks to Mike Tutaj’s Projection Design. Greg Hofmann’s blazing Lighting and Adam Rosenthal’s nicely-balanced Sound Design are dazzling and pitch perfect for this kind of show. The team of Theresa Ham and Katie Cordts have fashioned the perfect look for each character, complete with tight, glitzy 80’s costumes and shoulder-length hair and pouffed wig designs. 

Chris D’Ariezo’s loving ode to the music of the 1980s, with musical arrangements and orchestrations by Ethan Popp, isn’t a musical aimed at the more serious theatre patron. Anyone looking for a deep, complicated plot filled with thought-provoking subtext and inhabited by three-dimensional characters may be disappointed. This fun-loving comic book of a musical comedy, filled with stereotypes and overblown musical numbers, is a good-natured wink-and-a-nod to a more innocent time. It celebrates the era when America was enjoying the titillation of raunch and excess called Glam Rock. For audiences who want “More Than Words,” “The Search is Over.” They only need to brave the “Shadows of the Night” and head out to the Paramount Theatre, ready to “Feel the Noize.” Because “Anyway You Want It,” those theatergoers ready to have a good time, will be treated to “Nothin’ But a Good Time. “

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented April 13-May 29 by Paramount Theatre, 23 East Galena Blvd., Aurora, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 630-896-6666 or by visiting www.paramountaurora.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.