A new Broadway show has hit the scene, and it’s making a huge splash. If rock & roll hits and the 1980’s are favorite decades, then go see “Rock of Ages” playing at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. It is definitely a more light hearted, comedic Broadway play which definitely sends out refreshing vibes.

From the moment one walks into the theatre, it will feel as if it’s a rock concert; along with your playbill, the usher hands you a fake lighter, as if one was getting ready to see a hardcore metal band perform live.

There were a few unique things about “Rock of Ages;” the first one being the narrator. Lonny, who was a character along with being the narrator, broke the fourth wall quite a bit. He was constantly coming out on stage, still in character, updating and explaining what was truly going on in the plot. At one point, he even addressed the main character, Drew, and explained that he was in a Broadway musical called “Rock of Ages” and handed Drew the playbill.

Also, something that has been coming up frequently in Broadway musicals was that the show did not use their own written music but covered songs from multiple 1980s rock bands; this was not a typical Broadway musical set up with show tunes. Most people in the audience knew every single word to every song that was performed. There were definitely songs that were lesser known but the popular ones that everyone seemed to take a liking to were the Beastie Boys “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing,” Poison’s “Every Rose Has its Thorn,” and Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive.”

It was also very shocking at how well the songs that were chosen to be performed fit into the plot. No song seemed out of place or just thrown in for good measure. Each tune had a special linkage to the play of events. The musical directors and producers definitely did their research on rock and roll.

The actual plot was what you would expect; girl wants to become an actress, moves to California and meets an aspiring musician who works in a bar. It’s a typical storyline and nothing that exciting…at first. The beginning of the show was a bit rocky and at points, very choppy. Once the story was set up, everything flowed perfectly.

Drew is the main character, an aspiring musician who works in the legendary Bourbon Room owned by Dennis Dupree. Sherrie is the wannabe actress who moves to Los Angeles and stumbles into the Bourbon Room and is immediately smitten with Drew, who gets her a job at the bar.

The flirting between Drew and Sherrie is noticeable and the audience sighs with relief when he asks her out on a date; a minor setback occurs when Drew tells Sherrie that he thinks of her as a friend, leading Sherrie feeling idiotic because she has feelings for Drew, but she agrees that they are friends as well.

Mixed in with Drew and Sherrie’s story is Stacee Jax, a famous rock star who is leaving his band, Arsenal, to pursue a solo career. Jax and Arsenal got their start at the Bourbon Room and Dennis Dupree thinks it’ll be good publicity for both the bar and Jax if Arsenal has their last show at the place that started it all. Jax agrees but not without having a mini affair with Sherrie.

Stacee Jax and Arsenal perform at the Bourbon Room and it’s a hit, until someone punches Stacee out and Drew must perform in his place. A record label official sees Drew and immediately signs him to the label.

As the story continues, in true Broadway fashion, Drew and Sherrie are unhappy with who they have become and try to find their way back to each other, both admitting they have mutual romantic feelings. They hit a few bumps along the way but find each other in the end, as all good protagonists do.

The moral seemed to be that one should never give up their dream. If you follow your heart, you can achieve anything. The cast ties that message in a neat little bow when they end the show with Journey’s hit song, “Don’t Stop Believing.”

Altogether, “Rock of Ages” was a brilliant Broadway play. It was unique, hilarious, and made you want to get out of your seat and dance. It wasn’t cheesy and didn’t cause any eye rolls. It was more of a concert than anything, with the stunning singing talent of the incredible cast.

People are starting to take more notice of this show, and even producer Adam Shankman who produced 2007’s Hairspray, has hopped on the “Rock” board. He is set to produce a film adaption of the play starring Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin and Mary J. Blige. The film is set for a release in June 2012.