Rock of Ages in Las Vegas
Even if the 1980s are not a time you wish to relive. Even if hair metal is a music which has no place in your collection. Even if you somehow wandered into the theatre in a drunken haze. You will not be able to deny the pleasures of Rock of Ages, a musical that doesn’t take itself, its subject, or you the audience seriously.
As the taped introduction by Whitesnake’s “legendary” front man David Coverdale puts it, “enjoy having your face melted.”
If you’re interested in what happens between the shredding versions of "Cum On Feel The Noize,” “Sister Christian” and “Don’t Stop Believin,’” the story goes something like this: Drew, a bizarrely good looking kid from Detroit comes to Hollywood in search of his rock dream and ends up cleaning vomit out of the bathroom of a fictional place called the Bourbon Room, a “legendary temple of kickassery” set amongst the real Sunset Strip, where so many famous bands got their start (Van Halen, Guns ‘N’ Roses, Jane’s Addiction…). His love interest is Sherri, a starstruck blonde from somewhere in the Midwest (was I supposed to remember that?) with ambitions higher than her hair.
The band which got its start at Bourbon Room is called Arsenal, and just as they are about to break up, the club owner gets an order to evacuate so that some nefarious and fastidious (don’t they always go together?) German executive can knock the place down to build a strip mall. Hilarity ensues, as do some unexpected forbidden love story twists and some classic rock video-inspired dance sequences.
And really, the whole story is about the club’s sound engineer, anyway. Bet you saw that one coming.
Not that the show is too long, but you’re going to want some food first. Although there are a load of great choices on restaurant row right across from the theatre (including B&B, Delmonico steak, Aquaknox seafood and Pinot Brasserie), really the right move for you is Public House, with a big menu of elegant share plates and an incredible beer selection. I love the fried quail & waffles, and they make a great upscale burger. There are some fancy things here, too, but enough choice to go in any direction, and still have time to make it to the theatre.
One really cool thing about Rock of Ages is that every ticket includes a free shot (age permitting, of course) at the Venetian’s own Bourbon Room, a great recreation of the club that includes karaoke and performing waitresses and all kinds of participatory fun. Just like the show, you almost can’t help having an awesome time here. The kind of night from which legends are made.
