Rock of Ages

Rock of Ages: Through April 28.

James M. Nederlander Theatre,  24 W. Randolph St.

For more information to see Kenya in “Rock Of Ages” purchase tickets at www.broadwayinchicago.com or www.rockofagesmusicaltour.com

Kenya Hamilton plays the role of Justice (Strip Club Business Owner) in Rock of Ages (Musical)

It is 1987, and the legendary West Hollywood club the Bourbon Room is the seedy, sordid, vibrant heart of the Sunset Strip. The music venue has seen better days, but as run by chilled-out former rock impresario Dennis Dupree, and tended to by Dennis’s mischievous assistant Lonny, it is the essence of rock and roll. When bright-eyed young hopeful Sherrie Christian, a small-town girl who wants to make it as an actress, arrives in town, meets a big city rocker. As they fall in love in L.A.’s most famous rock club, ROCK OF AGES allows fans to rock out once again to their favorite ‘80s hits.

As the story progresses while breaking up with her boyfriend and violent anti-demolition protests, Sherrie flees to a nearby strip club and meets Justice Charlier. Kenya Hamilton (playing the supporting role of Justice Charlier) is the character that was also performed by singer, songwriter, and actress Mary J. Blige in the film Rock of Ages.

Justice gave Sherrie a helping hand but said, “This is only just a rest stop” Sherrie replies, “I need a job” Justice asks, “Do you dance” Sherrie replies “I’m a better singer, but I can wait tables. “However, Justice is a strong woman and is confident about Sherrie.

“Justice is powerful; she has a mind of her own and doesn’t change much from anyone. I’m sure a lot of people are like Oh my God she owns a strip club but do you think is I feel like even though some people wouldn’t approve of what she does for a living, but I do support with the facts that she’s a business owner she treats the ladies well, she has their best interest at heart, and she shares with them life lessons. Even from outside looking at maybe it seems a little shady (a female owning a strip club), but I like the fact that she’s a strong woman strong business owner and does have their best at heart.

Rock music has a sound that is established by African American such as Chuck Berry, Etta James, Jimi Hendrix, Tina Turner, Lenny Kravitz just to be an example,  when the early rockers combined country and blues, rock has been defined by its drive of rebellion and favorite hooks , but as the genre matured, it began to shed those features, placing equal importance on artistry and pushing the limitations of the music.

Just as in “Rock of Ages” “You don’t even realize music is connected, regardless of rock, hip hop, R&B once we start doing a little bit of real research we begin to see how much we know from there I know that I knew a lot of more music then I realized when I started doing the show, said, Hamilton.

Hamilton also stated the reason people should come and see the show, “It’s so much fun, we have a ball doing the show, it’s energetic, it’s a slice of 80s rock life. You’re going to laugh, and I can’t wait to come to Chicago.”

Featuring the music of iconic bands such as Styx, Poison, Twisted Sister, and Whitesnake among many others, this Tenth Anniversary production features a dynamic new cast revisiting the larger than life characters and an exhilarating story that turned ROCK OF AGES into a global phenomenon. With a book by Chris D’Arienzo and arrangements and orchestrations by Ethan Popp, the tenth-anniversary tour is being directed by Martha Banta and choreographed by Janet Rothermel.

 

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