The first cast members have been announced for the UK and Ireland tour of the award-winning musical Rock of Ages which will run at Manchester Opera House.
The initial cast announcement confirmed the involvement of Kevin Kennedy who will play ‘Dennis’, Zoe Birkett ‘Justice’, Jodie Steele ‘Sherrie’, Luke Walsh ‘Drew’, Lucas Rush ‘Lonny’, Andrew Carthy ‘Franz’, Vas Constanti ‘Hertz’ and Rhiannon Chesterman ‘Regina’. Further cast details are set to be announced soon.
What is Rock of Ages about?
Rock of Ages is an LA love story lavished with over 25 classic rock anthems. Lose yourself in a city and a time where the dreams are as big as the hair, and yes, they can come true! The smash hit musical comedy features songs including We Built This City, The Final Countdown, Here I Go Again, Can’t Fight this Feeling and I Want To Know What Love Is, played loud and proud by a live band.
Who will star in Rock of Ages at Manchester Opera House?
Kevin Kennedy is probably best known for his portrayal of Curly Watts in Coronation Street. His West End theatre credits include Amos in Chicago at the Adelphi Theatre and We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre as well as playing both Caractacus Potts and The Child Catcher in the hit musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, becoming the first actor to have played both roles. He has also appeared in the national tours of the musicals The Rocky Horror Show, The Commitments and most recently Kay Mellor’s Fat Friends.
Following her success in 2002’s Pop Idol, Zoe Birkett recently appeared as Rachel Marron in the UK tour of the The Bodyguard The Musical. She has also appeared in the West End productions of Priscilla Queen of the Desert and originated the female lead in Thriller Live. Her other theatre credits include the Acid Queen in Tommy and Maureen in Rent.
Jodie Steele has appeared in the UK and International tour of Wicked, War of the Worlds in the West End at the Dominion Theatre, Heathers the Musical and Myth, both at The Other Palace, Legally Blonde at Kilworth House and the national tours of Jesus Christ Superstar and Fame.
Luke Walsh has appeared in many shows including Boybands Forever in Germany and Caesar in Antony and Cleopatra, Billy in The Rabbit King and Smorgasbard, all at Another Way Theatre. He has also appeared in the independent film Don’t Let Go.
Lucas Rush appeared as St Jimmy in American Idiot, both in the West End and on tour. For this role he received a WhatsOnStage Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical. His West End credits include Roger in Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre and We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre. He has also appeared in the World Arena Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, as Joe Vegas in the national tour of Fame and most recently the national tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie.
Andrew Carthy has appeared in the West End productions of both Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Loserville. His other credits include Guys and Dolls at Kilworth House, the UK tour of The Wedding Singer and Wicked in Germany.
Vas Constanti’s many West End credits include In the Heights at King’s Cross Theatre, Miss Saigon at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and ‘Riff Raff’ in The Rocky Horror Show at the Duke of York’s Theatre. He has also appeared in the national tours of Oklahoma! and Flashdance – The Musical.
Rhiannon Chesterman was in the original cast of the musical Mrs Henderson Presents at the Theatre Royal Bath and then the Noel Coward theatre in the West End. Rhiannon has also appeared in the UK tours of Grease and Hairspray.
When does Rock of Ages run at Manchester Opera House?
Rock of Ages runs at Manchester Opera House from 25-29 September 2018.
