YORK, Pa. — At the tail end of the 1980s, two young people pursue their dreams in "Rock of Ages." It's a story that can only be best told with some of the most memorable rock names of the decade.
"It's the music that I love and it's a story that's really fun," said Lindy Keefe, who plays Sherrie Christian (yes, think Night Ranger's Sister Christian that will be sung in the show).
Set at the end of 80s Hollywood, one of the last legendary venues is entering its own final countdown (yes, the band Europe shows up here too). Sherrie and wannabe rock start Drew just might team up to save it.
"It's this time when women were discovering their independence even younger," Keefe said. "She's like 'Nope, I'm going to this brand new city and discover a world that I want to know and I want to see.'"
For the actor playing Drew, Alec Bashear, "Rock of Ages" also opens up the musical theatre world to a wider audience than usual.
"So many more people can enjoy this kind of performance as it is for 'Rock of Ages' versus almost any other musical that exists," Bashear said.
Some of the elder statesmen in the cast, and surely the audience, will also be happy to hear that the younger cast members love the songs too!
"We have folks who are 19, 20 and they come off the stage singing the songs," Keefe said. "That song predates them by many years but it still hits with them."
Her personal favorite?
"There's a mashup of Harden my Heart and Shadows of the Night and it's so good," Keefe said.
And between the comedy, the music and the memories, cast members hope you take home just a little more than Nothin' but a Good Time (yes, this classic is in the show as well).
"Be open-minded about what happiness is and how you can achieve it," Brashear said.
Performances of "Rock of Ages" at York's Belmont Theatre end Sunday, February 25. For more information, visit the theatre's website.