A rock 'n' roll romance about a small-town girl, a city boy, and the power of dreams, the Broadway hit ROCK OF AGES plays in the Jeffers Theatre at HCT from January 27th through February 4th.
Making her Hickory Community Theatre debut in this production is Ensemble member and self-proclaimed lover of hair band music Joy Cook.
Born, raised, and ultimately returning to her hometown of Valdese, Cook—who studied at Appalachian State University and UNC Greensboro—has dedicated a remarkable and respect-worthy 30 years to being a music, choral and theatre teacher for scores of K-12 students throughout the state. In her role as a creative educator she has directed and choreographed productions as diverse as THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, BEOWULF, ANYTHING GOES, GODSPELL, and FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON, as well as directing numerous concerts and solo performances.
Cook hasn't just been busy behind the scenes, though. She performed with Opera Carolina from 1992-2002, appearing on stage in productions of CARMEN, THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO, MADAME BUTTERFLY, and DON GIOVANNI. She has also performed in LA BOHEME at Greensboro City Opera, and spent one season as a cast member of HORN IN THE WEST.
Cook expresses a deep admiration for the "beautiful Jeffers Theatre" at HCT, as well as all of the area talent that perform there each season. And while she considers herself the cast member most likely to fall down a spiral staircase, she hasn't let the spiral staircases at HCT keep her from doing her favorite thing in ROCK OF AGES, which is to sing to her heart's (and the audience's) content.
Performances of ROCK OF AGES are Fridays and Saturdays, January 27th through February 4th at 7:30 PM; Sunday, January 29th at 2:30 PM; and, Thursday, February 2nd at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $16 for adults, $10 for youth and students.
Tickets are available online at hickorytheatre.org, or by phone at 828-328-2283. The theatre box office is open from 12-5 PM Wednesday through Friday, or one half-hour before a performance.
ROCK OF AGES is rated R for strong language and adult situations.
ROCK OF AGES is produced in association with Lowes Foods, Alex Lee and MDI. The Hickory Community Theatre’s 74th season is sponsored by Paramount Automotive, SunBelt Xpress and Frye Regional Medical Center. HCT is a funded affiliate of the United Arts Council of Catawba County.
(Photo: Eric Seale)