I was at the show in June 2009 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. Looking at the photos in the Playbill, I recognized James Carpinello — I’ve seen him since in CSI, NCIS, Castle, Gotham, and more. It’s good to see a talent blossom over time.

I remember expecting a Def Leppard song naturally, but they did not include "Rock of Ages." By the finale, I was exhausted and half satisfied — as though I had attended a real rock concert — and half disappointed by the storyline and the real-time deterioration of Sherrie’s voice. I genuinely worried about her throat condition during the musical.

As I revisited YouTube clips while preparing this review, my memory proved half-right. The set design did remind me of "Rent," and even more beloved rock anthems were featured than I had recalled. I vividly remember "We Built This City," "I Wanna Rock," and "Don't Stop Believin'." To my pleasant surprise, a mellow track like "More Than Words" also had a place. I think "Don't Stop Believin'" played during the curtain call, though I cannot say for sure. Back in 2009, the audience was clapping, singing along, and throwing up the rock hand sign — myself included. What else would you do at a rock concert, or a show called "Rock of Ages"?

And here’s a hidden gem: I found Jeremy Jordan listed in the Playbill as an understudy for Drew and Franz. A nice discovery looking back.

Since I try not to stretch my reviews beyond what I truly remember, I’ll conclude here — with a strong memory of the rock spirit and only a vague recollection of the storyline itself.