Rock of Ages: Savannah Wise officially assumes the role of 'Sherrie'

Savannah Wise has officially assumed the female lead role of 'Sherrie,' effective immediately in the five-time Tony Award Nominated hit musical, Rock of Ages, after having understudied the role since performances began on Broadway.

Original cast member Amy Spanger left the show for personal reasons. She had been out of the show since the Tony Awards on 7 Jun 2009 resting her vocal cords, but was expected to return to the show on 29 Jun 2009.

�It is that rare and fortunate instance in show business where it becomes necessary for the understudy to step into the role and she exceeds your wildest expectations,� says Matt Weaver, lead producer.

The show now stars Constantine Maroulis (Drew), Savannah Wise (Sherrie), James Carpinello (Stacee Jaxx), Adam Dannheisser, Mitchell Jarvis, Michele Mais, Lauren Molina, Paul Schoeffler, Wesley Taylor, Ericka Hunter, Jeremy Jordan, Michael Minarik, Angel Reed, Bahiyah Sayyed-Gaines, Katherine Tokarz, Andre Ward, Tad Wilson and Jeremy Woodard.

In 1987 on the Sunset Strip, a small town girl met a big city rocker and in LA's most famous rock club, they fell in love to the greatest songs of the '80s. It's Rock of Ages, an arena-rock love story told through the mind-blowing, face-melting hits of Journey, Bon Jovi, Foreigner and many more.

Following a successful off Broadway run and the sale of the film rights to New Line Cinema, Rock of Ages opened on 7 Apr 2009 at Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre, following previews from 17 Mar, where it is currently selling tickets through to 28 Jun 2009.

The play opened to mixed reviews: "seriously silly, absurdly enjoyable" (NY Times); "a somewhat glib nostalgia trip" (NewsDay); "an irresistible, offbeat trip of a show" (NY1); " the exuberance "Rock of Ages" fires up at various times is the real deal" (NY Post); "cheesy exercise in rock nostalgia" (Hollywood Reporter).

The show is written by Chris D'Arienzo (writer and director of the upcoming film 'Barry Munday'), directed by Kristin Hanggi and choreographed by Kelly Devine (Jersey Boys - Associate Choreographer).

Scenic design is by Beowulf Boritt, costume design is by Gregory Gale, lighting design is by Jason Lyons (The Threepenny Opera) and sound design is by Peter Hylenski.

The off Broadway engagement of Rock of Ages opened on 16 Oct 2008 at New World Stages and played its final performance on 4 Jan 2009 after 17 preview and 93 regular performances. The show made its world premiere in Los Angeles at The Vanguard for a limited 4-week run and was extended to 7 weeks by popular demand.

Rock of Ages is produced on Broadway by Matthew Weaver, Carl Levin, Jeff Davis, Barry Habib, Scott Prisand, and Corner Store Fund I, in association with Janet Billig Rich, Hillary Weaver, Toni Habib, Stefany & Simon Bergson, Charles Rolecek, Susanne Brook, Israel Wolfson, Max Gottlieb, Jennifer Maloney and Prospect Pictures.