Legendary Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider has announced he is working on a solo album called "Dee Does Broadway," which is scheduled for a September release on Razor & Tie Records. The inspiration for the album is Snider's recent stint as part of the cast for the Broadway show "Rock of Ages," in which he played a rock nightclub owner. Snider recently spoke to MTV News about the Broadway experience:
"The entire situation is completely surreal," Snider said. "Imagine an actual Tyrannosaurus on the set of 'Jurassic Park'. They've got an actual '80s guy in a show about the '80s. I know the people who sing those songs were a little uncomfortable the first few nights."
"The biggest difference between a concert situation and a theater situation is that you can't curse out the audience. I'm used to addressing situations. If something is going on in the house that I don't like at a concert, or if the audience is not energized or enthusiastic, or if they're particularly energized and enthusiastic, I will stop a song just to comment on what's going on. I quickly realized that was unacceptable on Broadway. I just have to stay in character and stay in the show."
"While it's a comedy, it's frighteningly accurate. Especially when it comes to frontmen, and how the rest of the band regards them as complete assholes. And I sit there and feel shame. I was a pompous ass. But I feel better now."
Snider went on to explain how he came to be involoved with the long-running Tony Award-winning production:
"I would love to tell you that somebody knocked on the door and said, 'We want you!' But the truth is: I was invited to the premiere of the off-Broadway production, where I saw my two songs in the show, and I turned to my wife and said, 'I want to do that. I could play Dennis Dupree.' So I let it be known, and it took two years to get asked out on that date."