Off-Broadway's Rock of Ages Headed to the Big Screen
by Broadway.com Staff • Dec 9, 2008
New Line has announced plans to turn the off-Broadway musical Rock of Ages into a feature film. Chris D'Arienzo, who wrote the book for the show, will pen the screenplay and direct the movie.
Rock of Ages centers on a 1980s Hollywood rock club threatened by developers that serves as the backdrop for a romance between a wannabe guitar hero and a small-town girl. The show incorporates music from that era, including rock anthems by Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benetar, Styx, Twisted Sister and Whitesnake.
Directed by Kristin Hanggi, Rock of Ages opened at New World Stages on October 16, 2008. Featured in the cast are American Idol star Constantine Maroulis, Kelli Barrett, Adam Dannheisser, Mitchell Jarvis, Michele Mais, Lauren Molina, Brian Munn, Paul Schoeffler, Wesley Taylor and Will Swenson.
D'Arienzo recently finished directing the film Barry Munday, the feature he also co-wrote. It features Broadway star Patrick Wilson All My Sons in the title role and is expected for release in 2009. The movie of Rock of Ages will be produced by show producers Matthew Weaver, Scott Prisand and Carl Levin in addition to film star Tobey Maguire of Spider-Man fame.
New Line is also currently developing a movie musical sequel for Hairspray, the 2007 hit movie adaptation of the Tony-winning Broadway smash.