Imagine a world where every story is told through song. Sure, that sounds like your typical musical—but what if those songs were some of the biggest rock anthems of the 1980s? That’s exactly what Rock of Ages delivers, and last night, Hard Rock LIVE at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino brought that vision to life in spectacular fashion.
A Night on the Sunset Strip
For approximately two and a half hours, the venue was transformed into Los Angeles’ iconic Sunset Strip. The story unfolded through a soundtrack of beloved ‘80s rock hits, immersing the audience in a world of big dreams, loud guitars, and larger-than-life personalities.
Presented by Ottawa’s Paper Moon Theatre, the production featured a talented cast of 22 actors and dancers—many of them local to the Ottawa area.
At the heart of the story are Sherrie (Marlayah McLeod) and Drew (Salem Valentine), two young aspiring artists chasing their dreams at the legendary Bourbon Room nightclub. As they navigate love, ambition, and heartbreak, they’re also faced with the looming threat of redevelopment—wealthy investors aiming to strip the Sunset Strip of its gritty, rock-and-roll identity.
A Fresh Take on a Familiar Story
Having previously attended the red-carpet premiere of the Mirvish production in Toronto—and like many, having seen the film adaptation starring Tom Cruise—I was curious to see how this version would compare.
While the Paper Moon production may not have had the same budget or star power as its big-stage counterparts, it more than made up for it with something arguably more important: heart.
There’s a unique energy that comes from watching rising performers pour everything they have into a production. That passion was evident throughout the night, creating a more intimate and authentic experience.
Talent That Shines Through
The cast’s talent was undeniable. Despite a few minor technical hiccups during the first act, the performers powered through seamlessly—proof of their professionalism and dedication. After all, live theatre isn’t about perfection; it’s about presence, resilience, and connection—and this cast delivered all three.
The choreography was sharp, the dancers were synchronized, and the overall stage presence kept the audience engaged from start to finish.
Standout Moments
Several performances stood out as highlights of the night:
- “Harden My Heart” / “Shadows of the Night” performed by Marlayah McLeod (Sherrie) and Joy Mwandemange (Justice) was powerful and emotionally charged. This number gave McLeod the perfect opportunity to showcase her incredible vocal range. Paired with their rendition of the Poison classic “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” the two became, for me, the most memorable duo of the night from a performance standpoint.
- “I Can’t Fight This Feeling,” performed by Benjamin Haile (Dennis) and Brennan Richardson (Lonnie), brought plenty of laughs midway through Act Two and was a clear crowd-pleaser.
- A particularly memorable moment came when Franz (Gianpaolo Lattanzio) finally stood up to his father, Hertz (Darren Fleming), with the help of Regina (Katya Harbauer) in an impromptu dance number to “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.”
- Of course, I have to give a nod to the show’s frontman, Drew (Salem Valentine). While many of the biggest vocal moments in Rock of Ages are written for the female leads, Valentine still found opportunities to showcase his talent—most notably in “Waiting for a Girl Like You” and “I Want to Know What Love Is.” He proved he can fully embody the rockstar persona while also allowing his softer side to shine through.
When the Audience Becomes the Show
One of the most enjoyable aspects of Rock of Ages is how familiar the music is—and this production embraced that to the fullest with over 30 monster hits across the two acts.
Throughout the night, the audience became part of the performance, singing along to hit after hit. From Foreigner’s “I Want to Know What Love Is” to the show-stopping finale of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” the entire venue erupted in song more than once.
These shared moments created a sense of unity and nostalgia that only a jukebox musical like this can achieve.
Final Thoughts
This production of Rock of Ages delivers exactly what you want from a night out: laughter, energy, and a healthy dose of nostalgia. It’s the kind of show that makes you cheer, sing along, and—if you’re feeling sentimental—even tear up a little.
If you’re looking to escape for a few hours and relive the glory days of ‘80s rock, this is a show worth seeing. More importantly, it’s an opportunity to support a dedicated group of artists and crew who bring live theatre to life. I look forward to covering future Paper Moon Theatre productions, this is just the beginning!
Without audiences in the seats, productions like this can’t continue—so if you get the chance, go out and support them. You won’t regret it. Get your tickets here but don’t wait after Sunday’s matinee finale the jukebox will go back into storage and the 80s will become history once more… https://papermoontheatre.ca/
