Theater News

Big Brother's Frankie J. Grande Joins Broadway's Rock of Ages

The rock musical’s original Tony-nominated star Constantine Maroulis extends his stay with the production.

Big Brother star Frankie J. Grande joins the Broadway cast of Rock of Ages.
Big Brother star Frankie J. Grande joins the Broadway cast of Rock of Ages.

Broadway's Rock of Ages will welcome Frankie J. Grande to the cast on November 10. Replacing Cody Scott Lancaster, Grande will take on the role of Franz, the free-spirited son of German developer Hertz Klineman, who threatens to tear down the Sunset Strip. He is scheduled to perform with the cast at the Helen Hayes through January 18, 2015.

Grande previously performed on Broadway in the cast of Mamma Mia! and has produced Broadway productions of Hamlet starring Jude Law, La Bête starring David Hyde Pierce, and Born Yesterday starring Jim Belushi. He was most recently seen on season 16 of the hit CBS reality series Big Brother.

"Ever since my first role on Broadway, I have dreamed of playing Franz," said Grande. "I couldn't be more excited to finally get this opportunity, especially alongside this incredible cast."

Lauren Zakrin, a finalist on the MTV reality show Legally Blonde: The Search for the Next Elle Woods, also joins the cast, making her Broadway debut as Sherrie beginning November 3. As previously announced, YouTube star Chester See will begin performances as Stacee Jaxx beginning October 27. The musical's Tony-nominated original star Constantine Maroulis has also extended his return engagement with the show through January 18, 2015.

Directed by Kristin Hanggi and choreographed by Kelly Devine, the five-time Tony-nominated Rock of Ages features a book by Chris D'Arienzo and a score that includes hits by 1980s hair-metal bands like Night Ranger, Twisted Sister, Foreigner, Poison, REO Speedwagon, and Journey.

Rock of Ages currently stars Constantine Maroulis as Drew, Carrie St. Louis as Sherrie, Mitchell Jarvis as Stacee Jaxx, Genson Blimline as Lonny, Adam Dannheisser as Dennis, Cody Scott Lancaster as Franz, Josephine Rose Roberts as Regina, Paul Schoeffler as Hertz, and Teresa Stanley as Justice. The company also includes Tessa Alves, Cristy Candler, Alyssa Herrera, Tony LePage, Michael Minarik, Josh Sassanella, Andre Ward, and Katie Webber.

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Rock of Ages

Closed: January 18, 2015