Joey Arrigo rocks Rock of Ages

27 Feb 2023 - photos courtesy of More Entertainment Group

"Audiences are going to be leaving the theatre after Rock of Ages dancing and singing “Don’t Stop Believing” all the way home," says Joey Arrigo of the soon to open musical. "How could you not? I know that the singing and dancing talent of this cast is going to blow people away, but I don’t think anyone is prepared for the world class visual experience that is coming their way. This is no average musical theatre production. It’s giving full rock concert vibes down to the CO2 sparkler blasts and lasers. Lasers! Everyone will be telling all their friends and families to come see this show."

Arrigo has had an eclectic and impressive career already, from Cirque du Soleil to a slew of high profile dance companies to What We Do in the Shadows. "I think that it is no mistake that Rock of Ages with More Entertainment came into my life when it did," says Arrigo. "Everything I have done in my career thus far has done a great part of shaping what I am able to bring to the show. I trained as a dancer my entire life and found through that lens that I was able access my interests of acrobatics, acting, music and overall, finding my identified presence as an artist. I have been blessed with several opportunities that have pushed me out of my comfort zone to show me what else I am capable of. It’s in those moments of achievement and realization that we get one step closer to understanding and believing in ourselves. I felt so prepared in taking on my first musical theatre contract by believing in the skills I have and knowing how much I was going to grow from giving my full, honest self to this show. In turn, I feel so much growth and joy from Rock of Ages."

The cast of Rock of Ages is stacked with vocal powerhouse triple threats including AJ Bridel (Kinky Boots, A Christmas Carol, Lil' Red Robin Hood), Steffi Didomenicantonio (Peter Pan in Wonderland, Five Faces for Evelyn Frost), Saphire Demitro (Little Shop of Horrors, Jesus Christ Superstar, American Idiot, Obeah Opera, Into the Woods, Evil Dead the Musical, Peter and the Starcatcher) and Jonathan Cullen (Forever Plaid, Beauty and the Beast, Parade). Is Arrigo ready? "Music has always been a huge part of my life. Both my mother and father are musicians, and we grew up with music in our hearts. My body at a young age chose to love music through movement, but I naturally learned the basics of music theory from my parents. I have always loved singing—my shower and next-door neighbors with thin, non-sound proof walls will attest to that—and it was certainly a skill I didn’t believe in unless I was being paid to do it for a job. Before starting rehearsals, I had to remind myself that even though I had never sung for a job before didn’t mean I wasn’t able to. Being able to sing confidently with the brilliant, talented vocalists in the cast of Rock of Ages affirmed my belonging here and gave me inspiration to learn as much as I can from them on this journey." 

Arrigo does have experience with big hair, they also have a career as Vita Love, drag queen extraordinaire. "The intersection of ‘tude and big hair is certainly where drag and rock 'n’ roll meet. It was once said to me that drag queens are the new rockstars; they are our modern-day answer to the default setting in many peoples lives and push the boundaries of the system we have been built into. The culture of rock 'n’ roll challenged the “American dream” and drag culture has done a great deal to challenge the gender binary and has allowed so many spaces for people to identify themselves authentically wherever they may sit on the gender spectrum. Vita Love has taught me so much about embracing myself in entirety. Once I began on stage as Vita, and not Joey, I learned to go of perfection, trust myself and live in the moment while performing. Rather than requiring the absolute control over a performance, trusting in what the work I had done to that point and letting the joy and relaxation of what I love to do speak for itself. It was when I realized that my audience was really beginning to see the real me. Now, I wouldn’t say Vita is on hold just because she ain’t in a wig, Vita’s essence, and everything she has to offer will be speaking through Joey in Rock of Ages. I had the amazing opportunity to perform a drag brunch the Sunday morning prior to our week of previews where I was able to promote our show. After taking six weeks away from drag to rehearse Rock of Ages, I was able to return to Vita with a whole new freshness and zest for drag because of all the energy and knowledge given to me. In fact, I do have some drag shows interspersed throughout the run of Rock of Ages around Toronto. Follow me on Instagram: @thestarvitalove for all new show updates."

Vita may even have had a prescient vision of Joey's future. "I really love the music in the entire show," says Arrigo, "but I would have to say my favourite song going into the show had to be “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” by Pat Benatar. I loved the Rock of Ages movie version of this song with Catherine Zeta Jones, which I have performed many times in drag. While I still love that song, I have grown to love “Wanted Dead of Alive ” originally by Bon Jovi, but performed by Stacee Jaxx in our show. It’s the perfect mix of dangerous and sexy to embody Stacee’s energy, it’s very Vita Love. It is a number I look forward to every show; maybe it’s because I get to wear thigh high stiletto boots and hang off the very sexy Johnathon Cullen for the whole number."