Pictures from Rachel

Jenn Mante, Daryl Acevedo, Wanda Knox, and I took a roadtrip to Toronto for their closing night on 01/02/2011.  While there, Jenn got the whole cast to write personal messages for Josey, which she included in a scrapbook with various ROA Toronto and Broadway photos.  When we got back on 01/04/2011, Jenn presented the scrapbook to Josey.

- Abe

My best friend and I went to see Rock of Ages at the Brooks Atkinson last August. It was my 5th time, her 1st, and we were unbelievably excited. We were sitting 2nd row in the orchestra, and we had made a goal while waiting for the show to start: We were gonna catch the panties during “Wanted”. And sure enough, we got Stacee’s (played be Jeremy Woodard) attention, and we caught the panties!! We were ecstatic. But it got better. We went to the stage door after (which is another great memory on its own) and when Jeremy was signing my friend’s playbill, i said “Thanks for the panties.” We all laughed, and it was great. ~~  Sincerely, one of your biggest fans ever!

- Jenna

So far I have seen the show 32 times.

- One of the best memories I have from the BAT is when I came to the show to celebrate my 21st birthday.  I had a front row seat and the show was amazing as usual.  During the Don’t Stop Believing finale, Dennis came on the stage in his Angel costume and saw me with my birthday girl tiara on and threw glitter all over me.  The cast was so sweet that night.  Maisey even came out afterwards with a cupcake and led the crowd in singing happy birthday to me.  I was so touched.

- My other favorite memory is Constantine’s last show.  Everyone celebrated his amazing run as Drew in NY and what a talented, down to earth person he really is.  At the end of the show Kristin Hanggi came out and gave a beautiful speech about Constantine.  We all cried.

- Seeing Katherine Tokarz play Justice for the first time.  She was AMAZING!  I miss her!

- Getting to see and meet Dee Snider was pretty awesome too!!!

Of course there are many more memories but then I’d have to write a whole novel!  I have attached some really great photos.  Thanks ROA for changing my life!!!

- Ashley

My name is Jenny, I’m a 28-year-old stay-at-home mom from Cleveland. I have a 4-year old daughter and twin 2 year old boys.

So here goes the story. Last January, my daughter was 3 and my sons were about 18 months. I was overwhelmed and completely burnt out from the sheer stress of taking care of the 3 kids every single day. I had never been away from them, not for a night, not for a day, nothing. My best friend Jenny, who is a lawyer in NYC said to me that I should come visit, get away for a girls’ weekend and it finally snapped in me. Yes, I need time away and I need time with friends. I love my husband and children madly but I needed time for me.

The night before I was leaving, Jenny called and told me she was surprising me with tickets to Rock of Ages and I was OVER THE MOON. I was born in 1982 to very young parents (mom was 18, Dad was 20) and I grew up with this music. Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, 1980s rock was in my blood! And (not like you’ve heard THIS before) I was a big fan of Constantine’s from his time on American Idol. Several weeks before, Jenny had won a charity auction and got to go have drinks with Kerry Butler and James Carpinello and she had told me they were wonderful, kind, awesome people.

So Friday morning comes  (end of February) and I hit the road (with a friend) to get to NYC. We left in the early early morning. The weather was insane, horrible, completely horrible. Our parents called and asked if it was OK and we said absolutely (big lie). Really, we should have stayed home. But hot damn, I was GOING to NYC!!! The trip should have taken perhaps 7 hours. After 11 fter 11 straight hours of driving in what was often practically a blizzard, we got to Jersey. We ran like the wind, chomping on pizza while we bolted, just to get there in time.

The show was wonderful, amazing, everything I’d hoped. Jenny had told me that if I wanted to meet people/take pictures, we should run QUICK after the show closes. The curtains closed for the evening and we bolted. I completely tripped down a flight of stairs, twisting my ankle, but again, I HAD to get out there!! We got to chat with Kerry and James, who were as sweet as I expected. And I got to have my teen schoolgirl dream of meeting her celebrity crush. Constantine came out, all I could say was “CAN I TAKE A PICTURE WITH YOU???”. My rehearsed conversations and questions where we have a meaningful chat that remains with us both forever was completely shot. I could barely speak except to yell at him for 2 seconds. I got my picture, I got my wonderful night.

I’m so glad that I went away that weekend. I was able to completely recharge and come home a better wife and mother and the memories of that one special evening are with me forever and I’ll be grateful for the rest of my life.

I’m sure many have similar stories, but come on now, how many young moms braved the elements and risked their life and sanity just to see you? (Too dramatic? Ha! )

- Jenny

P.S. – (My brother Daniel and I saw the show again in Pittsburgh this November to celebrate his 25th/my 28th birthday. Again, wonderful show. My brother is now converted to a Rock of Ages addict, he often has to text me just to tell me he heard one of the tunes on the radio or to send me a random quote from the show. Job well done!)

My best friend & I took her daughter to NYC for Spring Break. I agreed to the trip on the condition that we go see Constantine in Rock of Ages. We were standing by the Stage Door taking pictures of the Marquee when the door started to open….my heart stopped as Constantine emerged and had his picture taken with me. Highlight of the trip!!!!!

- Shelly

Here is a picture taken of me and three of my good friends outside the Brooks Atkinson when we went to see Rock of Ages. Getting to share the show with them is one of my favorite memories. They had never saw Rock of Ages and took my word when I told them they would absolutely LOVE this show. They laughed uncontrollably and sang along the entire time. They couldn’t thank me enough for making them fans!

My absolute favorite memory at the Brooks Atkinson though would have to be the moment I sat down on the stage to be interviewed for the first year anniversary video. When I found out I was a contest winner I was very excited and I knew that it was going to be a great experience. However, nothing prepared me for the overwhelmingly awesome feeling of stepping out on to the actual Rock of Ages set and looking out into the audience from a legitimate Broadway stage. I will treasure that moment forever. Thank you for that. And I look forward to seeing you at the Helen Hayes!

- Michelle

I’ve only had the pleasure of seeing Rock Of Ages at the Brooks two times (but I’ve seen it 53 in Toronto) HOWEVER in my two times at the Brooks, I`ve had sooo many amazing memories that I will never forget:

The first show I went to, I dressed up as my signature “Little Regina”. All the NYC Superfans knew that I was coming but I did not tell Josephine Rose Roberts because I wanted it to be a surprise! Josey and I had grown close to each other during her Toronto-Run and I made her a promise that sometime in the summer, I would visit NYC and see her perform ON Broadway, at the Brooks. I had the pleasure of sitting AAA that night (August 30th) and sure enough, Josey saw me. But here`s the funny part, after the show we went to the Stage Door and when Josey saw myself and my sister standing right next to each other, she started crying. She said that when she saw me, she thought that I was… MY OLDER SISTER! Everyone laughed and it was such an emotional night full of tears, laughs and nothin`but a good time!

- Natasha, Toronto

There’s no question about it – ROCK OF AGES has the best fans in the world.  Each day we’ll be unveiling a new memory from the people who truly make ROCK OF AGES the best show in the world — the fans!  Have your own memory you want to share?  Post it below in the comments or shoot us an email at rockofagesmusical [at] gmail [dot] com!

Picture #1 was my 42nd birthday on 12/19/10..Giants game AND Rock of Ages – best birthday ever!! Picture #2 was my first show on 11/13/10.  Can’t wait to come again in the spring!

- Debbie from Connecticut