Interview with the Cast of Rock Of Ages, Kayla Alvarez as “Sherrie”
By: Coren E. McLeod of UnRated Magazine
Photos by: Barry Nadler
“TheatreWorks Florida is extremely proud to present the Central FL regional premiere of Rock Of Ages, opening at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts (Alexis and Jim Pugh Theater) Sept 28 – Oct 9, 2016 for 15 sizzling performances. Rock Of Ages is sponsored in part by the National Endowment for The Arts and is TheatreWorks Florida’s fourth Central Florida regional premiere production.”
“Rock Of Ages is set at the tail end of the big, bad 1980s in Hollywood, and the party has been raging hard. Aqua Net, Lycra, lace and liquor flow freely at one of the Sunset Strips last legendary venues, a place where sex machine Stacee Jaxx takes the stage and scantily clad groupies line up to turn their fantasies into reality. Amidst the madness, aspiring rock star (and resident toilet cleaner) Drew longs to take the stage as the next big thing (and longs for small town girl Sherri, fresh off the bus from Kansas with stars in her eyes).”
“But the rock and roll fairy-tale is about to end when German developers sweep into town with plans to turn the fabled Strip into just another capitalist strip mall. Can Drew, Sherri and the gang save the strip – and themselves – before it’s too late? Only the music of hit bands Styx, Journey, Foreigner, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake and more hold the answer…”
Rock Of Ages sounds like it going to be one hell of a great time. I have the great opportunity to actually go to Orlando and see this amazing production in person. I will be there for Opening Night on Wednesday, September 28th, 2016. I am literally excited to see the 1980’s come to life with all the big hair, Spandex and the head banging music.
Before I head down to the Sunshine State, I wanted to learn more about the cast, the band and the director. I am very excited to see each individual bring their remarkable talent to the stage. Rock Of Ages at TheatreWorks Florida will be the party you want to join.
I am proud to present to you some of my interviews with the cast of actors/actresses. It was great to get to know each person before I see them perform.
Kayla Alvarez
Without further ado, the 1st interview is with Kayla Alvarez who plays Sherrie in Rock Of Ages:
REAL NAME: KAYLA ALVAREZ
CHARACTER NAME: SHERRIE
UnRated Coren: Please let me know who you are and what character you are playing in “Rock of Ages…”
Kayla: My name is Kayla Alvarez and I play the role of Sherrie in Rock Of Ages.
UnRated Coren: Did you know anything about the story behind “Rock of Ages?”
Kayla: I actually didn’t. I mean, I had heard of the movie and loved the music style of the show so I just decided to audition.
UnRated Coren: What bands from the 1980’s are you familiar with? Which ones did you rock out to?
Kayla: This is such a “Sherrie” choice, but I remember being younger and loving to jam out to Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. So it’s actually super cool that I actually get to perform “I Hate Myself for Loving You” in the show. It’s one of my favs.
UnRated Coren: What made you want to try out for this awesome production of “Rock Of Ages?”
Kayla: Like I stated above, I LOVED the music style. I love 80’s rock music and love how fun and belting all the songs are. After I found out about the open call, I researched the show and instantly fell in love with it.
UnRated Coren: What character do you like the most?
Kayla: I definitely think my favorite character is Franz by far. He is Hertz’s flamboyant, German son. He seems like such a fun and high energy character.
UnRated Coren: What did you do to prepare for the audition?
Kayla: I definitely did lots and lots of research on the musical. And I spent the weeks before the audition brushing up on my 80’s rock music knowledge, which was super fun research if I do say so myself.
UnRated Coren: What is your background with theatre or acting?
Kayla: I’ve actually been doing theatre for about nine years now and have been performing with theaters all around Central Florida. I’ve spent a lot of my time working with the Orlando Repertory Theatre and am a proud member of the REP’s performance troupe the PowerChords.
UnRated Coren: There are a lot of great songs in this production. What are some you remember listening to before joining the cast?
Kayla: Like I said, I love me some 80’s rock and I think my fav in the production is “Nothin But A Good Time”, Poison seriously gets me so pumped and makes me feel like such a badass.
UnRated Coren: What research did you do before the audition?
Kayla: One thing I did before the audition was look at all the clips that were available of Rock Of Ages on YouTube and I swear to you they were constantly on repeat. I got absolutely obsessed with this musical before I even auditioned, whoops.
Kayla Alvarez
UnRated Coren: What did you think about the 2012 movie?
Kayla: I had actually just watched the 2012 movie very recently and I have to tell you, in my opinion,the musical is SO. MUCH. BETTER. I feel like the musical is so much more fun and it’s definitely a lot different to experience this show live and in your face, which I feel like is what Rock Of Ages is all about.
UnRated Coren: What other plays have you been in?
Kayla: Some favorite past roles have been Bonnie in “Bonnie and Clyde: The Musical”, Wednesday Addams in “The Addams Family”, and Gingy in “Shrek the Musical.” That’s only to name a few.
UnRated Coren: What songs are your favorite to perform? Is the dancing difficult?
Kayla: What I can tell you is the dancing is very intense in this show. I will never forget during callbacks, us girls must have learned about 3 super hardcore dance combinations and the day after that callback, my body had never felt so sore. My neck was definitely paying the price for all that hair whipping.
UnRated Coren: Since “Rock of Ages” is set in 1987, how do you like your wardrobe? Is there enough Aquanet for the entire cast? (laughing…)
Kayla: I absolutely love this question because I am so so SO excited for these costumes. Sherrie has some crazy sexy 80’s wear and I die every time I look at our sketches. Our costume designer is so beyond talented.
UnRated Coren: What are you most looking forward to on Opening Night?
Kayla: Oh, so many things. For one, it’s the Dr. Phillips center for God’s sake, that it so exciting. And to share this show to a brand new audience and it being the Central Florida Premiere is even more thrilling to me.
17) What can audiences expect from this production of “Rock of Ages?”
One hell of a party. I’m not joking in the slightest. Orlando better prepare themselves for the biggest party ever!
Thank you so much Kayla for your answers… It sounds like you are the perfect fit to play Sherrie…. (Oh Sherrie…)
Please be on the look out for more interviews from the entire cast including the stellar band and one from the ever impressive director Scott Cook….
#Cheers
