Q: In the Broadway production, Drew’s wardrobe included a Van Halen “5150” T-shirt. Do you get to rock that same shirt on tour?
A: “The rock T-shirts change up. On this tour, I wear the ‘5150’ shirt but I prefer the Def Leppard ‘Hysteria’ shirt. I actually got the show to print me up a few extra of those.”
Q: Which camp were you in as a kid? Vintage Van Halen with David Lee Roth or Van Hagar with Sammy Hagar?
A: “It’s kind of like James Bond. It really depends on what you grew up with. I was a little young for vintage VH. The records with Sammy were out when I was first getting hip to rock n roll. My band played a cover of ‘Right Now’ in high school. It was quite the impressive undertaking to tackle that.”
Q: “Rock of Ages” audiences are known to whip out both old school cigarette lighters and now, the dreaded iPhone cigarette lighter app. Which does the cast prefer?
A: “As long as the audience is into it, it doesn’t matter. The iPhone app is widely accepted. We take it as a total compliment. Unless you’re using it to shoot video. Then, I have a problem with it. There’s nothing like seeing a sea of lights out there waving. That said, the official ‘Rock of Ages’ L.E.D. lighter is available at the merch counter.”
Q: You took a lot of heat for playing to the cameras on “American Idol.” Did the Tony Award nomination serve as vindication?
Q: Unlike a lot of your “Rock of Ages” cast mates, Drew’s hair is all you. What’s the secret to keeping that rock star mane in check?
A: “It’s a pain in the ass, to be honest. A lot of product is key. I used to have a come-as-you-are approach to it. But when you start waking up with dread locks, it’s not a good look. I can’t wait to shave it all off. But for now, I’m just letting it rawk.”
