Rockstar Stage (Johnsonverse)

Rockstar Stage is a stage format found at Chuck E. Cheese's locations. It was first introduced in May 2015 as part of the Concept Division process.

History
When Johnson Industries was in the process of acquiring CEC Entertainment, Inc. (now ShowBiz Pizza Time, Inc.) in December 2014, one of the first ideas to be floated was the introduction of a new stage, as Johnson CEO Tim Johnson greatly disliked the Studio C and Circles of Light stages due to both stages only featuring one animatronic or, in some Circles of Light setups, none. Once the acquisition was completed, the Rockstar Stage was one of the first priorities, alongside a Phase VI remodel with new decor and paint.

The stage consists of the Munch's Make-Believe Band characters, using their modern appearances in animatronics manufactured by Garner Holt Productions in collaboration with Walt Disney Imagineering and Creative Engineering, in front of a sign showing the band's logo; the setting is similar to a recreation room. There are also two Cyberstar monitors on Center Stage displaying the animatronics. The stage itself is nearly identical to the 3-Stage setup at ShowBiz Pizza Place locations and many Chuck E. Cheese's locations from 1990 to 2015. The left side features a rotation of guest characters, and the right side features Chuck E., Bird and the Warblettes in a stage reminiscent of Circles of Light, as well as a smaller curtain to conceal the Chuck E. animatronic when the walkaround character comes out for parties. Above the stage are three Cyberstar monitors, used for intermission segments and other purposes. The Sun and Moon, Munch Jr., Pizzacam, and Singing Flowers are located on Center Stage, while Chuck E.'s pet parrot Bird is on a pole next to Chuck E. along with the Warblettes. Two moving flags (one on either side of the stage) featuring Chuck E.'s face are used as in the Balcony Stage, placed high enough for them to be out of reach for guests. Also used are various props recycled from the Studio C stage including the pizza phone, the apple TV, and the Pizza Time clock; there is also an Atari 2600-style gaming setup as a nod to the chain's founder, Nolan Bushnell. Finally, Crusty the Cat and his DJ stand were added to the left of the stage.

A variation of the stage features a different design that allows Center Stage to rotate to a different side containing The Rock-afire Explosion in the event of a mechanical problem; the valves underneath are powered by a custom-made battery. It has been tested in several large-scale locations and is being rolled out at all Chuck E. Cheese's locations with the stage for the next several years. A later revision added the capacity for Stage Left to rotate to a different side containing Billy Bob, Looney Bird, and the Smitty's Super Service Station backdrop, while Stage Right rotates to a side with Rolfe and Earl, effectively allowing the entire stage to transform into a Rock-afire Explosion stage

The first location to have the stage installed was the location in Oceanside, California, which reopened in June 2015 and previously housed a Studio C Beta. Rockstar Stages were installed at locations with a Studio C Alpha, Cappa, and Alpha Beta Mix, as well as 50% of all Circles of Light stages, and the Rockford, Illinois store that previously housed the final Rocker Stage; all locations with Studio C Beta and Beta Cappa Mix stages, as well as the other 50% of all Circles of Light stages, were replaced by 3-Stages with the Rock-afire Explosion, these locations henceforth being rebranded as ShowBiz Pizza Places. None of the pre-existing 1-Stage, 2-Stage, or Road Stage setups are planned to be replaced, as the Cyberamic animatronics are considered too historically significant to be replaced.

WORK IN PROGRESS

Characters

 * Chuck E. Cheese - electric guitar
 * Helen Henny - female vocals
 * Mr. Munch - keyboard
 * Jasper T. Jowls - banjo guitar
 * Pasqually P. Pieplate - drums
 * Crusty the Cat - DJ and manager
 * Sun, Moon, Singing Flowers, Warblettes, Bird, and Pizzacam - backup singers
 * Munch Jr. - dancing character

Animatronic

 * Justin Beaver (2015-present)
 * Harmony Howlette (June 2016-present)
 * Chuck E. Cheese (PTT) (2017)
 * Chuck E. Cheese (Tux) (2017)
 * Chuck E. Cheese (Coach) (2017)
 * Chuck E. Cheese (Cool) (2017)
 * Chuck E. Cheese (Avenger) (2017)
 * Bella B. (June 2019-present)
 * Santa Claus (same as ShowBiz Pizza Place)

Cyberstar

 * Steve Waters

Backup characters
In the event of a major malfunction, all three stages can rotate to use the Rock-afire Explosion instead.