By Kai Bisby

I Love Rock and Roll

With nostalgia for the '80s at an all-time high (just tune in to VH1), some of the timeless songs of that era have been wrapped up in a tidy bundle of love in the new rock musical Rock of Ages, at the ever-appropriate venue The Vanguard (6021 Hollywood Blvd.) running through Feb. 18. Set in the 1980s rock mecca known as the Sunset Strip, audiences can expect to be transported back to moments in their lives with such iconic songs as "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" (Pat Benatar), "Can't Fight This Feeling" (REO Speedwagon), "I Wanna Rock" (Twisted Sister), "I Hate Myself for Loving You" (Joan Jett), "Harden My Heart" (Quarterflash), and "Oh Sherrie" (Steve Perry). With a lineup like this, heartstrings and memory chords are sure to be struck. "It's a fun '80s romp and I think it pokes fun and embraces some of your favorite guilty pleasure songs from the '80s," says out actor Tom Lenk, a member of the ensemble cast recreating the genre. Lenk, who is remembered from his role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and has currently been starring in Amy and David Sedaris' hit play, The Book of Liz, is playing a character that is based on one he created in his sketch comedy group Strangely Attractive. "My character is part of a German conglomerate that wants to take over the Sunset Strip and clean it up," he explains. "I am not the serious character of the show É It's hard to sing a Pat Benatar song seriously with a German accent." He goes on to explain that this show stands out from the usual nostalgic fare: "You have Mamma Mia!, We Will Rock You, and the Billy Joel show É but I think this one is a little more fun because we were not stuck with one artist's song book." Lenk is joined on stage by an incredible cast including Laura Bell Bundy (Hairspray, Wicked), Dan Finnerty (The Dan Band), Kyle Gass (Tenacious D), and Chris Hardwick (Singled Out, House of 1000 Corpses). While there are rumors that some of the artists whose songs are highlighted may be coming to see the show during its run, Lenk insists that they had nothing to do with the story or characters. And when it comes to the story, he says that they do not take themselves too seriously: "We are not trying to do Shakespeare here." This show is sure to hit Vegas, so check it out now in Los Angeles (where it all began) while you can. For tickets and information, call (800) 595-4TIX, or visit www.rockofagesmusical.com.