And for good reason – the power of music and words is so compelling.

Rock Of Ages will be performed at the Lucille Ball Little Theater of Jamestown, 18 E. Second St.

And there is a live band on stage. It’s uptempo to say the least.

“What we have learned over the years is that people like to come to the theater and have fun. So when we look at our shows, we don’t always like to pick the sad, super-dramatic shows, because theater is such an escape, and there’s enough sad drama in the world right now already,” said LBLTJ Board President Holly Weston.

From left Jackie Bielata, Holland Issacson, and Robyn Craker rehearse a scene in Rock of Ages, to be performed at the Lucille Ball Little Theater of Jamestown, 18 E. Second St. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

The show is rated PG-13 due mature content and language. But it’s rock music, so the disclaimer is expected. Right?

According to lbltj.com, it’s the tail end of the big, bad 1980s in Hollywood, and the party has been raging hard. Aqua Net, Lycra, lace and liquor flow freely at one of the Sunset Strip’s last legendary venues, a place where Stacee Jaxx takes the stage and scantily-clad groupies line up to turn their fantasies into reality. Amidst the madness, aspiring rock star, and resident toilet cleaner, Drew Boley longs to take the stage as the next big thing, and longs for small-town girl Sherrie Christian, fresh off the bus from Kansas with stars in her eyes. But the rock ‘n’ roll fairy tale is about to end when German developers sweep into town with plans to turn the fabled Strip into just another capitalist strip mall. The music of bands Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake, and others support the story.

Be prepared for a concert experience.

At first, Jim Foley was approached to direct the show and had no intentions to do so. Then he watched the Broadway version, and did a 180-degree turnabout.

“And I immediately said, ‘Yes,’ because it’s so ridiculously fun, and it’s so funny, and it’s got so many great tunes from the 80s. I couldn’t pass it up,” Foley said.

From left, Michael Correy and Andrew Garvey rehearse for Rock of Ages, to be performed at the Lucille Ball Little Theater of Jamestown, 18 E. Second St. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

Once Foley started his role, he found out that with an experienced cast, directing is fun.

“Ninety Nine percent of our cast is very experienced. …This has been a blast. It’s been a blast because of the people that we’ve been able to put on stage, and their dedication, and their energy, and their talent, and their wicked sense of humor. It’s just been a blast the whole way around,” Foley added.

Michael Correy who plays Lonny is the narrator of the show. Correy said that Lonny serves an interesting role.

“He speaks to the audience quite a lot, almost maybe more than he speaks to other characters. …And, he can throw out his hands, like he’s casting the spell, and it makes the scene change,” Correy noted.

Titus Miller portrays Boley, another interesting character.

“Drew is definitely interesting, very fiery, and excited to go and prove himself as a young rocker out in the world, out in L.A. (Los Angeles),” Miller said.

The character of Sherrie has a big, bubbly personality, and for Jackie Bielata, who portrays her in the show, the part is a great fit.

“I just like to be a little bit silly on stage. It’s not something I get to do often,” Bielata said. “She’s just funny without even knowing she’s funny. …She’s kind of like the person who I am on the inside that I just kind of keep in because I’m usually a little bit more shy.”

Andrew Garvey portrays Dennis Dupree, the older rocker in the show, who runs a bar, and takes care of the new talent that comes through.

“He’s kind of trying to look after all these newbies that are coming in, like, like Drew and Sherrie, and trying to foster their talent a little bit, still knowing how hard it is. He’s been down that road,” Garvey said.

The rest of the cast includes Carol Sweeney as Justice, Ayrianna Brady as Regina, Matt Jones as Hertz, Mike Giambelluca as Franz, Zander Chase as Joey Primo/mayor, Holland Isaacson as Waitress No. 1/stripper, Caleb Roller as Sherrie’s father/Ja’Keith, Robyn Craker as a waitress/stripper, Scott Costantini as Jaxx, Haley Price as Sherrie’s mother/Constance Sack/protester, and Robert Martiny as a protester/record producer.

The performances are slated for Sept. 6, 7, 13, and 14 at 7 p.m., and Sept. 8, and 15 at 2 p.m.

Another irony in the show is that it does not include the song “Rock Of Ages,” a hit for Def Leppard from the band’s “Pyromania” album released in 1983.

For ticket information visit lbltj.com.