The Boy Who Wanted to Rock
The Audiobook
Narrated by Ria Jones
Original Music Composed by Michael V. Raffa
Video by Dan Dabek
Album with audiobook, and songs featuring Justin Matthew Sargent, now available!
When I decided to add an audiobook version of the story, I knew straight away that my first choice for a narrator would be Ria Jones. Ria played the leading role in my two most recent UK shows, Sunset Boulevard (UK/European tour), and Gypsy (Royal Exchange Manchester) -- I've never seen anyone bring characters to life with such clarity and animation! I was certain that Ria would be the perfect fit for the book's varied assortment of creatures and voices...and I could not be happier with the results.
The underscore was composed by one of my oldest and best friends, Mike Raffa. We were roommates in music school many years ago, and also worked together for seven years at Kurzweil Music Systems R&D, where we helped design some of the industry's coolest synthesizers and keyboards. It was great to have a chance to collaborate again, we had a blast!
Another friend and former colleague from Kurzweil R&D, Dan Dabek, joined us to help create the videos for the audiobook and both songs. Dan cleverly added movement and FX to the book's still images, in a way that complements the narration, and enhances the feeling that viewers are having a story read to them.
Ria Jones recently played the role of NORMA DESMOND, a role she created in the original workshop at Sydmonton in 1991, to rave reviews in the award-winning UK/European tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s SUNSET BOULEVARD. At 19, she became the youngest ever actress to play the role of EVA PERON in EVITA. She went on to play the leading lady in CATS, LES MISÉRABLES, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, ROMANCE ROMANCE, NINE, PERSONALS, A TWIST OF FATE, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, HONK, VICTOR VICTORIA, HIGH SOCIETY, ANYTHING GOES, ACORN ANTIQUES, WITCHES OF EASTWICK, 42nd ST, CLOSER THAN EVER, INTO THE WOODS, JERRY’S GIRLS, GUYS & DOLLS and GYPSY.
Ria is a regular soloist at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Philharmonic concert Orchestra. Recent concert work includes JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, EVITA, WEST SIDE STORY, SONDHEIM A CELEBRATION, THE THREE MUSKETEERS, A NIGHT UNDER THE STARS, CHILDREN WILL LISTEN, MAGIC OF THE MUSICALS, THE BEST OF BROADWAY, ULTIMATE BROADWAY, WEST END WOMEN, MISS-LEADING LADIES and AN EVENING WITH RIA JONES. Her show and concert recordings include THE GOLDEN AGE OF HOLLYWOOD, ABBAPHONIC, THE MUSIC OF RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN, LES MISÉRABLES (Manchester cast recording), A TRIBUTE TO HAL PRINCE, PERSONALS, A TWIST OF FATE and her solo albums, IT’S BETTER WITH A BAND and HAVE YOU MET MISS JONES?
