British Pop Star and X Factor Winner Shayne Ward Joins West End Rock of Ages

Casting continues for the forthcoming West End production of '80s tuner Rock of Ages, with popular British recording artist and X Factor winner Shayne Ward taking on the part of over-the-top rocker Stacee Jaxx. The metal musical will begin performances on August 31 and officially open on September 27 at London’s Shaftesbury Theatre. Ward joins the previously announced Justin Lee Collins, who has signed on to play Sunset Strip club owner Dennis Dupree. Additional casting has yet to be announced.

Ward became a household name in Britain after winning the 2005 season of reality talent show X Factor. Since his win, Ward has sold over 3 million records worldwide. He released his third album, Obsession, in the fall of 2010, and followed it up with a successful UK and Ireland tour. As Stacee Jaxx, a role being played by Tom Cruise in the currently filming Rock of Ages movie, Ward will wail on ‘80s hits like Bon Jovi’s "Wanted Dead or Alive." Rock of Ages will be his West End debut.

Rock of Ages is set in 1987 on the Sunset Strip, where a small town girl meets a big city rocker in L.A.’s most famous rock club. Their love story is told through the hits of Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, Pat Benatar, Foreigner, Twisted Sister, Asia, Whitesnake and more. The Broadway musical, which is currently running at the Helen Hayes Theatre, received five Tony nominations (including Best Musical) after opening on April 7, 2009. The show's national tour stars American Idol alum Constantine Maroulis, and the aforementioned movie adaptation is currently filming in Miami, with an eye on a June 2012 release date.