ROCK OF AGES CAST MEMBER MATT BAN INTERVIEW

“Rock of Ages” Cast Member Matt Ban Interviews

Words by Kristen Fogle

The newest show to roll into the Civic Theatre via Broadway San Diego is the ultra popular musical hit “Rock of Ages.” This fun filled flashback of the “mid to late '80s” revives the decade in all its glory—from clothes to hair to pop culture references...to, of course, the music. “Rock” includes some of the best from its day...including chart toppers from Journey, Pat Benetar, Whitesnake, and more.

Cast member Matt Ban is just one of the amazing young performers who are touring with the production; his character Dennis owns the club that the action is set in (and has quite an interesting and humorous fate in the end).

Ban took time to talk about researching his role, what originally attracted him to the franchise, and lets us in on a little secret: next to none of the cast have actually been on the Sunset Strip!

Kristen Fogle: Let’s get to the important stuff first…How big is the hair on this show?

Matt Ban: Just as big as everyone remembers it! One of the hardest parts of the show is doing all of this rockin' dancing and singing while keeping your hair from going down your throat. I have a problem with that nightly.  

KF: Besides adventures in hair, what drew you to audition for ROA initially?

MB: Well, being born in 1987, I never really had the chance to experience the full impact of the '80s. This show really takes everyone back, even if you've never even been there. So knowing the music and the nostalgia for the time period, I knew this was something I wanted to be a part of.

KF: Along with music being a big part of the show, the action of it takes place on the Sunset Strip. Assuming you’ve been, any fun real life stories (or stories from the cast) that have taken place there?

MB: Actually a lot of us haven't been to LA yet, but going and experiencing the Strip is definitely something we're looking forward to. However, we do still have shows while we're there, so we may not get the FULL experience. But I'm sure we'll have some fun stories...

KF: Tell us about your character. What kind of research did you put into your role?

MB: Dennis is very much a leftover from the 1970s, still living in the world of rock and roll, though it has changed so much for him. He's the owner of the famous "Bourbon Room" club which was a staple of the Sunset Strip rock scene. I guess you could also describe him as a stoner or a hippie. The world that you're experiencing in “Rock of Ages” is in many ways Dennis' world. He's also somewhat of a father-figure/mentor to the young hero of the story, Drew. A lot of work went into playing a role like this. I am constantly asked if I'm doing a Tom Waits impression, or if I realize how much I remind someone of Frank Zappa, but for me it was more about listening to the music that would have influenced Dennis. Jefferson Airplane, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, and of course, The Alan Parsons Project.

KF: On that note, there’s (obviously) a lot of great classic rock in this musical. But are there any hits in particular that when you guys perform them the audiences just loses it?

MB: There are so many great songs crammed into this show that it happens multiple times a night. My favorite reaction would have to be in "Can't Fight This Feeling," by REO Speedwagon. It's sung by myself and the narrator of the show (played by Justin Colombo), as sort of an ode to their bromance... And of course the finale, Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" gets quite a raucous reaction. Just the first few notes is all it takes for the audience to recognize the song.

KF: How does this show differ from other productions you’ve been a part of?

MB: In every way possible! I have a background in musical theater, particularly comedy, however, there really is no show out there like “Rock of Ages.” There's an awesome silliness to everything about this show, yet it really does have such a strong grounding in a time that everyone knows and loves so much. Plus belting out rock music every night is not something I've had to do before.

KF: Besides a silliness, the show definitely encompasses a mature humor...Why should parents exercise caution when taking children under 13 to see “ROA”?

MB: There are parts of the show that may be a little adult-themed. After all, this is the Sunset Strip in the mid to late 80s. There is some strong language used, some references to drugs and alcohol, and part of the action of the show takes place at a strip club. The actresses in this show are often clad in little more than their underwear. So the men out there will enjoy some eye candy, but your kids may have a few questions for you after.

KF: Are you worried about the June movie release of “ROA”? How will the big screen adaption differ from the stage show?

MB: We're actually all very excited about the release of the movie. From what we hear, its going to be a bit different than our production. There are some plot lines that have been cut, and some characters have been dropped and added. But I hope this movie drums up even more popularity for the entire franchise and that it boosts desire to see our show. As different as the two ventures are, its all still “Rock of Ages” in the end.

KF: Anything else you’d like to add?

MB: Please come out to the Civic Theatre and check out “Rock of Ages.” For tickets you can go to www.rockofagesontour.com or www.broadwaysd.com!

To see the original article, please go to: http://sdtheatrereviews.com/newsmaker.php?newsId=268