Hit broadway musical ‘Rock of Ages’ coming to outdoor amphitheater this fall

Local theatre fans will soon take a high-energy trip back to the era of big hair, shredded denim, and classic rock anthems as the Broadway hit musical Rock of Ages opens for a free, three-night run this fall.

Staged at the outdoor amphitheater at the Mauldin Cultural Center , the open-air production runs from Friday, Oct. 2, through Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, with showtimes starting promptly at 7:00 p.m. each evening. Admission is completely free to the public, and attendees are encouraged to arrive early with lawn chairs or blankets to claim a spot on the lawn.

Set in the sunset haze of late-1980s Hollywood, Rock of Ages captures a wild scene where Aqua Net, Lycra, and rock anthems rule the night. The story follows Drew, an aspiring rocker working as a bar-back and cleaner, and Sherri, a fresh-faced small-town girl arriving from Kansas with dreams of stardom. The two cross paths at one of the Sunset Strip’s most storied venues, surrounded by hard-partying groupies and headline rock icon Stacee Jaxx. However, their rock ‘n’ roll fairy tale faces demolition when German developers sweep into town with blueprints to replace the famed Strip with a strip mall, leaving the ensemble to fight for their music, their haven, and each other.

The Tony Award-nominated jukebox musical brings the high-octane decade to life through a soundtrack of iconic 1980s hits from bands like Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, Whitesnake, and more.