One for the Ages

Nikki Blonsky, Katrina Bowden, Jane Krakowski, Ilene Kristen, Dee Snider, Elizabeth Stanley, Michael Urie, Max Von Essen, and Darnell Williams join Constantine Maroulis and the cast of Rock of Ages for their big Broadway opening.

By Joseph Marzullo,Brian Scott Lipton • Apr 8, 2009 • New York

On Monday night, the 1980s-themed musical Rock of Ages arrived with a bang at Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre. Celebrating after the show were stars Amy Spanger and Constantine Maroulis, who play would-be lovers Sherrie and Drew.

James Carpinello is hilarious as the vain rock god Stacee Jaxx.

Mitchell Jarvis and Adam Dannheiser co-star as Lonny and Dennis, who stop the show with their rendition of REO Speedwagon's "Can't Fight This Feeling."

Broadway veteran Paul Schoeffler is a hoot as Hertz, a German building magnate with a long-held secret.

Wesley Taylor and Lauren Molina hit audiences with their best shots as unlikely couple Franz and Regina.

A number of 1980s rock stars showed up for the opening, including Twisted Sister's Dee Snider, whose anthem "We're Not Gonna Take It" is cleverly used in the show's plot.

Tony Award winner and 30 Rock star Jane Krakowski was a welcome sight at the show.

Krakowski's 30 Rock co-star Katrina Bowden was also on hand.

Watchmen star Patrick Wilson, who will make a special appearance at Joe's Pub on April 13, attended the show with his lovely wife Dagmara.

Noah Emmerich co-starred with Wilson in the acclaimed film Little Children.

Stage star Ilene Kristen, who plays Roxie on ABC's One Life to Live, was another happy opening night guest.

Fellow soap star Darnell Williams, an Emmy Award winner for his work as Jesse Hubbard on ABC's All My Children, was in the spirit.

Ugly Betty star Michael Urie will show off his stage chops later this month in the new play The Temperamentals at the Barrow Group Theater.

Hairspray star Nikki Blonsky blows a kiss to the opening night crowd.

Finally, here's Elizabeth Stanley and Max Von Essen, who are no strangers to the music of the 1980s after starring in the national tour of Xanadu.

For TheaterMania's review of Rock of Ages, click here.