School of Rock the Musical is a fun night out for anyone. Not only for the kids but the adults too. When I acquired a souvenir program I was delighted by the information displayed and the visual layout of the program as well as the creative flair. Not to mention I hadn’t seen anything of the show yet, and I was already impressed and looking forward to what was to come. As a massive School of Rock fan I was in for a real treat. The 2003 film directed by Richard Linklate and written by Mike White and starring Jack Black is a classic, so no wonder there is a musical, based on the Paramount Movie, out in theatres currently.
When it comes to a film about young kids rocking out and breaking the rules guided by a middle-aged overweight man that can’t give up on the magic of rock, there’s a whole lot that makes this a fun idea to bring to the stage. Presented by GWB Entertainment, S&CO in association with KHAM Inc by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Limited, bring to you the School of Rock the Musical directed by Laurence Connor with music and orchestrations brought to you by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Where does one begin to describe such a rocking show? To put it simply many of the key elements at play worked well to create an entertaining piece of musical theatre that a wide audience can enjoy.
Dewey Finn. Our favourite Jack Black-ian character that essentially steals a substitute teaching position from his friend Ned to earn some cash. However, things don’t quite go to plan, I mean do they ever? Brent Hill plays Dewey with a certain passion and energy that kicks it all up a notch. Not to mention his vocal talent. With classic tracks like When I Climb to the Top of Mount Rock it really is a fun and alternate way to express themes from the film in musical theatre fashion. John O’Hara features as Ned, dorky as ever, and Nadia Komazec as Patty, dominant as can be, making for the odd couple in the picture, all the while Dewey dreams big.
Which brings me to the most rocking aspect of this show: the kids! The kids that are rocking on stage and even go on to sing their very own number: If Only You Would Listen. These talented young performers are the rising stars of tomorrow, and I wouldn’t be surprised if you see their faces in QPAC outside of the School of Rock the Musical. With Amy Lehpamer’s Rosalie, principal of Horace Green, even having her own character dynamics and moment in the spotlight with Where Did the Rock Go to Dewey and Ned secretly rocking out to Guitar Hero behind Patty’s back to the classic Stick It to the Man sung by Dewey in class with the kids, there’s plenty of great material to enjoy whether you’re young, old or have never heard of School of Rock before in your life.
Not to mention the creative technical minds behind the scenes. Andrew Lloyd Webber, Producer, Composer, Book and Orchestrations to Director Laurence Connor to Lyricist Glenn Slater and Choreographer Joann M. Hunter. Also, the set design was superbly arranged to resemble Horace Green Prep School which can be credited to Anna Louizos. The way the No Vacancy band switched onto the stage as a scene-changer was fabulous and absolutely spot on with fantastic lighting design by Natasha Katz. There was heaps of fantastic stage elements at play to make this production what it is. It is so great I would drag family members along to see this one again! I want the world to see this show, because it’s more than an overweight 30-something year old stealing money from children - but about teaching them the magic of rock!
To those about to rock I salute you… I salute you!
Go see this one now, it's out this July!
Joanna Letic