MANCHESTER, NH – “Rock of Ages” lets you sing out like you are at your favorite 1980s rock concert. This is not the first time it’s been performed at the Palace Theatre. In fact, it comes around every few years to be one of the most popular and well-attended concerts, or, er, plays, at the Palace. It’s not just your favorite band playing favorite tunes, this is the cast roll call that brings out the fan base.
Comments were overheard when I recently attended that this is the “best production yet” of Rock of Ages. The stage overflows with local favorites including Missy Clayton, and returning cast members Jessica Moryl, Sam Harvey, and Katie Harvey, who all also appeared in the show’s 2016 and 2018 versions. Feels like a concert with lots of singalongs and swaying-with-glow sticks to tunes that included, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, Anyway You Want It, Waiting For a Girl Like you. The song list credits a full 31 tunes across the two-act program.
The success of Rock of Ages here in Manchester has a lot to do with the Palace Theater production sticking closely to the original Chris D’arienzo story. There is, however, one very specific stage voice-over that resonated throughout the theatre. If you weren’t listening carefully you might have missed a call-out for “Central High School student of the month, Missy Clayton.” Even if you missed the brief announcement, your eyes would have been drawn to a rather active section of the orchestra seating where rally flags whirled and joyful laughter erupted.
In fact, anyone in attendance glancing over to the right front section of the orchestra would see the consistent waving of glow sticks and rally flags every time Missy Clayton came into the spotlight. She might have been “just” part of the ensemble, but she also is the Assistant Choreographer along with Sebastian Goldberg on this production.
When I attended there was a visible contingent* of more than 50 friends of the Clayton clan. Made up of family, teachers connected to Central High School past and present, along with representation from the Smyth Road School and friends from Hampton.
The exciting thing about local theatre is that it is indeed local. Barely two degrees of separation and celebration. To end the evening at Rock of Ages, a post-performance group of family and friends took over the lobby for some fun photos and a drop in visit from Clayton and other cast members.
Theatre is alive and engaging. Regional theatre is affordable and accessible. The Palace Theatre has great spaces to meet up with friends and is supportive of community gatherings. Hats off to quiet hero Megan Quinn. She not so quietly rises to the occasion in both her onstage music activist role Regina and also in her fantastic job sending out emails and updates. Megan Quinn is both actress and Director of Youth Programming and Patron Engagement for the Palace Theatre.
Rock of Ages – Palace Theatre
Get ready to party like it’s 1987! This all-out, smash-hit musical will transport you back to the Sunset Strip, where big dreams and even bigger hair collide. Featuring a power-packed soundtrack of your favorite rock anthems – from Journey to Bon Jovi, Styx to Foreigner – Rock of Ages is an electrifying, hilarious, and utterly unforgettable night out. Don’t stop believin’ and grab your tickets for this epic rock ‘n’ roll celebration!
You can see the final performances this weekend as the show runs through Sunday February 8, 2026.
[*Full Disclosure – I attended as one connected to the Central High School crowd.]
