I loved the 2003 movie version of School of Rock so I was really looking forward to this musical version since it was announced last year as part of our package at Shea’s Performing Arts Center. An aspiring rock musician, Dewey, gets kicked out of his group. His roommate is pressured by his girl friend to kick Dewey out of their house if Dewey doesn’t pay his overdue rent. In desperation, Dewey pretends to be a substitute teacher at an exclusive private academy in order to earn enough money to pay his rent. This cynical strategy changes when Dewey discovers the young kids in his class are musically gifted. He trains them to compete in “The Battle of the Bands” in order to get revenge on the band that ousted him. But, of course, things change. Yes, the talented young kids actually play their instruments.
In this touring company, Rob Colletti played “Dewey,” a demanding role that keeps Dewey on the stage for almost every scene. I loved Lexie Dorsett Sharp as Dewey’s Principal, Rosalie Mullins, and my favorite song was Rosalie belting out “Where Did the Rock Go?” If you liked Jack Black in School of Rock, you’ll like this musical version of his story. And, of course, the kids are terrific! GRADE: A
SONG LIST:
Act I
“I’m Too Hot for You” – No Vacancy and Dewey
“When I Climb to the Top of Mount Rock” – Dewey
“Horace Green Alma Mater” – Rosalie, Students and Teachers
“Here at Horace Green” – Rosalie
“Variation 7” – Dewey and Ned
“Children of Rock” – Dewey and Ned
“Mount Rock (Reprise)” – Patty
“Queen of the Night” – Rosalie, Dewey and Gabe
“You’re in the Band” – Dewey and Students
“You’re in the Band (Reprise)” – Dewey and Students
“If Only You Would Listen” – Students
“In the End of Time (A Cappella Version)” – Dewey
“Faculty Quadrille” – Teachers
“In the End of Time (Band Practice)” – Dewey and Students
“Stick It to the Man” – Dewey and Students
“In the End of Time (The Audition)” – Dewey and Students
“Stick It to the Man (Reprise)” – Dewey and Students
Act II
“Time to Play” – Summer and Students
“Amazing Grace” – Tomika
“Math Is a Wonderful Thing” – Dewey and Students
“Where Did the Rock Go?” – Rosalie
“School of Rock (Band Practice)” – Dewey and Students
“Dewey’s Confession” – Dewey, Rosalie, Patty, Ned and Parents
“If Only You Would Listen (Reprise)” – Tomika and Other Students
“I’m Too Hot for You (Reprise)” – No Vacancy
“School of Rock” – Dewey and Students
“Stick It to the Man (Encore)” – Dewey and Students
“Finale” – Full Company
Not a fan on Andrew Lloyd Weber. Had a gf who dragged me to Cats and Phantom. Two of the worst days of my life. . I’ve heard several of the songs from this and have no desire to see this. Glad you enjoyed this tho.
Steve, Andrew Lloyd Weber is a lightning rod for many Broadway fans. People love his work–or hate it. His influence on SCHOOL OF ROCK: THE MUSICAL seems minimal.
Kevin is going to see it this this week in Detroit. His guitar class is at the local School of Rock and they perform all the time. He will love it.
Patti, the audience for the performance of SCHOOL OF ROCK we saw was full of young people. Kevin will love this!
I did love the Jack Black movie but wasn’t sure about this until we saw it. We loved it! It was just so much fun, and the kids were such talented musicians. We thought it was much better than the highly touted musical version of GROUNDHOG DAY, for one. It’s infectious and great fun. I defy you not to enjoy it in spite of yourself.
I knew you would like it.
Jeff, I love the story of a struggling musician pretending to be a substitute teacher who learns about the magic of the classroom. Classic!
You’re right – this is NOTHING like anything we’ve seen from Andrew Lloyd Webber before. Steve doesn’t have to worry.
Jeff, I know a lot of guys who hate CATS.
Nothing like a live performance done right.
Dan, and to see and hear talented young kids gives you hope for the Future.
It’s coming here, so I will probably catch it. I may have to get season tickets to Broadway San Diego.
On a side note, I saw Love Never Dies on the 31st of March, and was underwhelmed (as were 5 of the other 6 people I went with). The first act was dreadful, but the second act was better. I had a hard time remembering it was A. Lloyd Webber (whose other works I loved, except for starlight express – which I saw in the UK on a tour group and didn’t like)
I hope you guys get to Margaritaville on Broadway. It premiered at the La Jolla PLayhouse, and I liked it so much, I saw it again, with a different group of friends.
Maggie, LOVE NEVER DIES is the next play in our BROADWAY MUSICAL series, but we’re giving the tickets away. Katie saw LOVE NEVER DIES in Boston and had the same reaction you did. And, the reviews have been brutal.
We have (of course) tickets for MARGARITAVILLE coming up. At least we know we will enjoy the music.
Agree on STARLIGHT EXPRESS. One of the worst pieces of crap we’ve ever sat through. It made CATS seem like Shakespeare. Lloyd Webber’s best was his first – JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT. Jackie directed a school version using first through third graders, and it was wonderful.
No thanks, and the photo of the kids trying to look like punk gangsta jerks is a complete turn-off. Bah.
By the way, I have a migraine this morning, so I’m just a teensy bit grumpy………..
I can’t stand precocious showbiz kids!
Bob, you were once a member of of a band so SCHOOL OF ROCK should appeal to you!