From Muse to Stripper, Rock of Ages Star Kerry Butler Keeps Rollin'

She's wooed a beast into a prince in Beauty and the Beast, helped the beat go on in Hairspray, taken on alien plants in Little Shop of Horrors and scored a Tony Award nomination for her turn as a sweet, roller-skating muse in Xanadu, but, until recently, Kerry Butler had never donned a studded corset and hopped on a stripper pole. Rock of Ages changed that, of course. Butler joined the cast of the hit '80's rock phenomenon in late September, taking over the role of small-town girl Sherri. The sexy, lacy, teased musical comedy is somewhat of a departure for this former Disney ingenue, who's more accustomed to family-packed audiences than the arena-rock crowds which swarm her current home at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. We gave Butler a call to find out what's up with her wild new gig.

What did you think of the first time you saw Rock of Ages?
I’d seen it a while ago and thought it was great. And crazy. I finally went to see it again when I got the offer to make sure I could actually play Sherri—it’s a little dance-heavy, so I was nervous!

So you’re not a dancer?
I am so far from a dancer. Seriously. So I’ve turned Sherri into a clumsy stripper, which kind of works.

Is there a stripper boot camp for this role?
God, I wish! I think the other girls might have gotten that, but I joined the show so quickly that stripper camp wasn’t an option. I was just learning the dance steps on my own, rehearsing over and over and over. Our assistant choreographer, Robert [Tatad], is the one I practiced my lap dancing on before [co-star] James [Carpinello] was brought in for my rehearsals. Once James came in, we just laughed non-stop. Now I’m totally comfortable doing it. My husband loves me being in this show, I will say that much.

Rock of Ages is a more interactive show than most on Broadway. Any crazy audience experiences yet?
Oh, God. Yes! My very first week, we had a couple get engaged in the front row during "Don’t Stop Believin.'" He pulled out the ring, kneeled and asked her. She started crying. Then they were making out in the front row. All of this going on while we’re singing the song. Another time I had someone curse at me.

Any particular reason?
Well, it was when I was still the sweet girl. It was when Sherri first meets Stacee Jaxx, during a very quiet moment. Someone screamed out, “You gotta f*** that chick!” Another time I had a guy come on stage during “Harden My Heart,” when I’m crying, and dance on stage. I was wondering if maybe he was bringing me a beer to cheer me up?

You’ve gone from Disney ingénue to belting '80s hair band hits. Have you always been a secret '80s queen?
That is what I grew up learning to sing, you know? I do love to belt, so I’m actually having a really fun time singing the songs. I love it because I don’t get to do it that much. That is really fun. I absolutely love singing “High Enough” with Constantine [Maroulis].

As a secret belter, what are some of your karaoke favorites?
I often participate in karaoke, so I have a whole repertoire. But I don’t do the '80s—I usually try and sound “bad,” because bad karaoke is more fun. I love to do “Love Shack.” I also like songs that you can do corny dances to, like “Stop in the Name of Love.”

Is this gig a vacation from doing sweeter shows?
I was really nervous going in because I thought I wouldn’t like doing it. Sometimes when you do sillier shows, it’s not as satisfying. But I’m having a great time. I can’t wait to go to work at night. It’s very surprising.

Have you ever wanted to do something totally different—like a straight play or an uber-dark musical?
I’m just happy being a working actor! There’s nothing I’m dying to do. I just like having a long career. I would definitely love to do a show that’s not a jukebox musical. Not that I don’t like doing them—they’re super fun—but I feel like I have to keep it fresh.

What’s the secret to balancing being a crazy, rocker stripper at night and being a mom the rest of the time?
Honestly, it’s a great job if you have kids, and I’m so lucky they’ve allowed me play six shows a week. I can spend more time with my daughter. She’s not allowed to see the show, but she has come to rehearsals, so now she requests “Don’t Stop Believin’ as her goodnight song. Which is just really funny.