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Man pays $25K to see 'Rock of Ages' 500-plus times

Abe Calimag says he's spent about $25,000 to travel the world to see his favorite musical, 'Rock of Ages,' some 500 times.

By Danielle Haynes
Actor Tom Cruise who portrays Stacee Jaxx in the motion picture romantic comedy "Rock of Ages", arrives for the premiere of the film at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles on June 8, 2012. UPI/Jim Ruymen
Actor Tom Cruise who portrays Stacee Jaxx in the motion picture romantic comedy "Rock of Ages", arrives for the premiere of the film at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles on June 8, 2012. UPI/Jim Ruymen | License Photo

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FAIRFAX, Va., Oct. 5 (UPI) -- A Virginia man said he's spent about $25,000 to see the play Rock of Ages some 500 times since 2009.

Abe Calimag must really love big hair and spandex pants because not only has he laid down some serious cash to see the musical, he's traveled around the world as well.

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The business consultant first saw Rock of Ages in 2009 after learning one of his favorite actresses, Amy Spanger, was in it. She wasn't in the cast that night, July, 1, 2009, but he fell in love anyway.

Calimag has since traveled to several states, six countries and even taken a handful of cruises to see the production.

"It's the way they took the songs and shaped the story and conveyed the emotion," he told the New York Post. "That's different from anything else I'd seen before."

"People hear a number and think, 'You're nuts! You can buy a car for that!' " he added. "People have seen Bon Jovi concerts a hundred times -- it's what they enjoy. This is what I enjoy."

He said he doesn't think the actors consider him a stalker for how many times he's attended. In fact, the producers gave him a ticket to his 500th show on the house.

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"Seeing a familiar face in the audience gives [them] a little bit of a boost," Calimag said. "They know someone was there who cared enough to see them."

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