Rock of Ages has taken over this summer both on the big screen and on stage. Chicago is lucky enough to have a nine-week run of the live production.
Set in 1987 at a bar called The Bourbon Room on L.A.'s Sunset Strip, the story follows rocker Drew Boley and newcomer Sherrie Christian on their quest for love and music.
Windy City talked to Chris Sams, who plays the mayor in this production and who just so happens to be openly gay in real life.
Windy City Times: Hi, Chris. So you are originally from Texas. Did you go to school there for theater?
Chris Sams: No, I did not. Both of my degrees are in speech communications.
WCT: How did you wind up in this show, then?
Chris Sams: Happenstance. I was doing a show during the summer of 2001. It was called Texas the Musical Drama at the Pioneer Amphitheater. The young lady that was nominated for Once for Lead Actress at the Tonys was the lead in the show the same time I was doing it.
WCT: So you know Cristin Milioti? She's cute.
Chris Sams: Yes, from very humble beginnings. People had told me at the time to move to New York. At that time I was living in a very small town and not happy with education at that point, so I moved to the city. I booked a tour but after went back to school to finish my undergrad; then, I booked another tour and went back for my masters. I did The Color Purple and now this show.
WCT: Was The Color Purple a touring show?
Chris Sams: Yes.
WCT: What part did you have in that production?
Chris Sams: I played Buster, Grady and [was] also in the ensemble.
WCT: So you get these multiple parts.
Chris Sams: I like that. It is what I do in this show also playing multiple roles.
WCT: So you never get bored. Tell me about your parts in this show.
Chris Sams: I play the mayor of Los Angeles. I also play Ja'Keith, who is a record producer. I am also in the ensemble.
WCT: What made you want to audition for this show?
Chris Sams: My background is not musical theater. I am not learned or well-versed in a lot of those shows. I knew The Color Purple, of course, because I grew up with the movie and read the book. When I auditioned for this show it was to have a job essentially. When I started doing research then I learned about the subculture going on in this time period. There was a whole section of town dedicated to starving rock and roll artists. I was enthralled by it.
WCT: How is your singing coming along with being in these musicals?
Chris Sams: I can carry a tune but my main emphasis is in acting, as opposed to singing and dancing.
WCT: For people who don't know about Rock of Ages, what would you tell them?
Chris Sams: The crux of the show is nostalgia. I think that is the thing that makes us unique as humans is the ability to remember. We catalogue things and that can make us happy or sad. We can remember the first time that we saw a boy or girl that we liked. That is what this show does. It triggers those feelings of nostalgia.
I think that is what makes the musical so clever is that it doesn't take itself too seriously. This subculture was all about fun and good times—when you get those baby boomers in the audience and they are pulling those things out of their memory banks. When you see the expressions on their faces, you can't beat that.
WCT: When that music comes on from Journey or Bon Jovi…
Chris Sams: It is awesome when they hear that opening melody and their face will light up. They will know a song and remember what was going on when they first heard it. Memories are being triggered at various points in the production.
WCT: It is a fun light show.
Chris Sams: Yeah, it is not too serious. You have to come out ready and [be] willing to have a good time. If you want your life changed…
WCT: Go see The Color Purple! [Both laugh.] When the show debuted in Chicago there were all these famous rock stars in the audience, like members of Whitesnake.
Chris Sams: When we played in L.A., it was awesome. We had some rock 'n' roll stars too, which I was not accustomed to. At the end, Cloris Leachman came down to the front of the stage. I was in character but when I saw her I lost it! I was jumping up and down screaming onstage. This is the show where you can do that. We are welcome to have just a good a time as the audience. It is the kind of format we have and [it's] very special.
WCT: I love that Cloris.
Chris Sams: She came out to the after party and took pictures with the boys with their legs hoisted up. It was hilarious.
WCT: This is a long run for the show. Is this your first time in Chicago?
Chris Sams: No, we played Chicago with Smokey Joe's Café in 2004, [and] we played at the Chicago Theater. We were here earlier in November for a week at the Oriental Theater. Every time I came it was winter and I am from Texas, so I deployed my existence when I was here. It was so bone-chillingly cold but now it is the summer, with the breeze and all of the people are out. I really want to explore the city. I feel like now is when the city opens up.
WCT: I heard some of the cast went to Sidetrack for "Musical Monday."
Chris Sams: I was there as well. It was very fun. Like I said, I am not a musical-theater person but seeing all of those shows performed it was really eye-opening. Some I didn't even think were for me, like Thoroughly Modern Millie with Sutton Foster; she gave me the business up on screen!
WCT: It is funny how you are getting thrown into this Broadway world.
Chris Sams: It is interesting and exciting.
WCT: This Broadway show is timed to the movie. Who plays your part in that version?
Chris Sams: Paul Giamatti and Catherine Zeta-Jones. What they did was separate my characters and make a whole separate storyline for her. She is not necessarily the mayor of Los Angeles but she is in charge of cleaning it up. They combined my character so there is an amalgam of things happening. I am excited to see it.
WCT: Is the whole cast going to see it together?
Chris Sams: We are going to try to catch a midnight showing of it. The assigned-seating thing here is very daunting! I'm most excited to see Tom Cruise.
WCT: Everyone is talking about it.
Chris Sams: I love him in these roles that you are not expecting him to play; epic roles like Tropic Thunder—genius! I see the billboard for Rock of Ages everywhere and think it is our billboard but it's for the movie.
WCT: It is good cross-promotion.
Chris Sams: I think people will see the movie but then they have the opportunity to see it after it leaves theaters with us.
WCT: It is two different takes on it.
Chris Sams: Plus the magic of cinematography will be very different from coming to see it live.
WCT: Where do you go next?
Chris Sams: Atlantic City for four weeks.
WCT: Did you hear about the Beyonce concert there recently? I heard it was amazing.
Chris Sams: Because she is incomparable. I can hardly wait until she gets older and releases some standards. She has the voice to do it.
WCT: What are you doing after the show?
Chris Sams: After this run I am going to get some model shots done and tackle the world of modeling. I will be going to the gym up to that point and getting everything in order.
WCT: You better work it, supermodel!
Are you ready to rock? Visit www.BroadwayinChicago.com for tickets before "The Final Countdown" Sunday, Aug. 5, when Rock of Ages closes at the Broadway Playhouse, 175 E. Chestnut St.
