All systems go for Mayo school musical Rock of Ages
RICE College's musical Rock of Ages is set to take place at the end of March. To learn more about the event, I met up with Luke Carmichael, a good friend of mine, who has one of the leading roles in the musical, writes Nathan Keane.
This is an extract from the conversation we had in Hotel Newport:
Nathan: So, Luke, tell us a little bit about yourself.
Luke: I’m Luke Carmichael, from Newport. I went to Newport National School, and moved on to Rice College, Westport. When I was in my later years in Newport, I became involved in music. Music has shaped me as a person, and it has led to me getting this role in the musical. In the Rice College musical, ‘Rock Of Ages’, I am playing Lonny Barnett.
NK: Can you talk to us about the Rice College musical?
LC: The musical is called Rock Of Ages, and it is set in mid-late 1980s LA. It is set between The Bourbon Room - a rock and roll club - and the street outside, known as the Sunset Strip. What happens is, there is a renovation plan brought into action, which the people outside The Sunset Strip are protesting against.
NK: What is the role of your character?
LC: Lonny works in The Bourbon Room, and is good friends with the owner, Dennis Dupree. Lonny works as a sound technician, and he narrates the musical.
NK: What are some of the other roles?
LC: Dennis Dupree (Rowan McLoughlin) owns The Bourbon Room. Drew Boley (James McKeon) also works in the club, and has dreams of being a rock star. Shami (Dan Lambert) moves to the Sunset Strip at the start of the musical, but has aspirations to be an actor. Stacee Jaxx (Eoghan Powell) is the frontman of the very famous (fictional) band Arsenal. In the story, Stacee has come back to The Bourbon Room for his final show.
NK: What has the cast's preparation been like?
LC: I think we are really coming together. We have been putting our heads down and rehearsing since early January. There is a lot of talent in the year, which is being showcased, and some of the lads are really putting themselves out there.
NK: How has the musical been organised?
LC: Our director for the acting is Aoife Creaby-Carr, who has a lot of experience, and she is really bringing out the best in everyone. Kathy Fahey is our musical director. Kathy is also tenured in her field, and she is great at guiding lads who may never have sung before, and turning them into great singers. Our TY coordinator Ms. Coulon has organised everything from the school’s perspective, from props to rehearsals.
NK: What are you most excited about?
LC: I’m excited to see how we will pull together for the four shows, and to find out how the cast will perform.
NK: What is the feeling around the school leading up to the musical?
LC: It’s all systems go at the minute! Everyone in TY has a job to do in the musical, whether that be on the stage or behind the scenes. Around the school, there is a good buzz starting to form, with posters going up, and more advertisements on the way.
NK: Can you let everyone reading this know how to watch the musical?
LC: Rock of Ages will be in the Westport Town Hall Theatre, with the show starting from 7 p.m. on March 24 and 25, and 6 p.m. on March 26. Anyone looking for ticket information should check westporttheatre.com.
NK: Thanks very much Luke. Any final words?
LC: To anyone that does get a chance to come and see the show, I promise you will enjoy it. I look forward to seeing you all there.