The Associated Press is reporting:

Rock Of Ages, the new off-Broadway jukebox musical, revs up nostalgia for iconic rock anthems and ballads of the late 1980s.

Written by Chris D'Arienzo, this fast-paced, kinetic spectacle, on view at off-Broadway's New World Stages, is crazy fun.

A talented cast enacts fond, over-the-top homages to some of the hard rockers, glam rockers and power balladeers who influenced the '80s music scene. D'Arenzio has humorously melded various plot arcs to lead into relevant song lyrics — some ironically appropriate — from that hedonistic era, and the result is a nonstop party.

Set in a music club and a "gentleman's club" on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles circa 1986, the show is laden with sexy choreography and energetic performances by the dance ensemble and cast members, with an onstage band that totally rocks the house.

Impish narrator Lonny (well-strutted by Mitchell Jarvis) connects the story threads, guiding the audience with a wink and a nod through all the antics. Music club owner Dennis (an appealing Adam Dannheisser) is a hippie left over from the 1970s, with his do-good attitude of giving a young rocker a chance to shine despite the prevailing culture of greed that surrounds them.

Constantine Maroulis of "American Idol" fame gives a touching performance and sings powerfully as Drew, the young wannabe rock singer, who falls in love with Sherrie, the new girl in town. Kelli Barrett, charming as a Brooke Shields look-alike, belts out lyrics as the initially innocent Sherrie, a would-be actress fresh from Kansas.

The young lovers "Want To Know What Love Is," until Sherrie is taken advantage of by Stacee Jaxx, a sexy, selfish rock star, hilariously played and well-sung by a charismatic Will Swenson. Michelle Mais lends a note of dignity and does some lovely singing in two small roles.

Although the singers proclaim that they "Built This City On Rock 'n' Roll," a German developer wants to tear down the club to gentrify the area.

A bit of social activism is provided by Regina (perkily played by Lauren Molina), who chains herself to a fence and spouts populist slogans while trying to persuade the mean developer's bullied son Franz (an adorable Wesley Taylor) to stop the demolition.

Musical arrangements by Ethan Popp, blasted into life by the first-rate Rock of Ages Band, enliven classic rock songs by FOREIGNER, JOURNEY, TWISTED SISTER, POISON, PAT BENATAR and STYX, among others.

The action is dynamically directed by Kristin Hanggi and choreographed by Kelly Devine. While the women in the show are objectified — exactly as women were portrayed in rock videos on MTV two decades ago — D'Arienzo and Hanggi handle it cartoonishly and with a touch of farce.

The show is resplendent with tight clothing, studded leather, semi-nudity and teased hair — and that's just the men.

Fantastic hairstyles and wigs by Tom Watson conjure up bygone metal idols, while Gregory Gale's colorful costumes — mostly lingerie, for the female dancers/strippers — and a detailed rock club interior, designed by Beowulf Boritt, look distinctly authentic.