The musical is based on the popular 2003 Paramount Pictures film about down-and-out rock guitarist Dewey Finn, who takes a job as a substitute teacher. But instead of sticking to the syllabus, he teaches them about the glory of rock, organizes them into a rock group and enters them in a Battle of the Bands — much to the displeasure of the school principal.
Joining Alex Brightman as Dewey Finn and Sierra Boggess as school principal Rosalie Mullins are Spencer Moses as Ned, Mamie Parris as Patty, Evie Dolan as Katie, Carly Gendell as Marcy, Ethan Khusidman as Mason, Bobbi MacKenzie as Tomika, Dante Melucci as Freddy, Brandon Niederauer as Zack, Luca Padovan as Billy, Jared Parker as Lawrence and Isabella Russo as Summer.
The adult ensemble includes Natalie Charle Ellis, Emily Cramer, Alan H. Green, Michael Hartney, John Hemphill, Merritt David Janes, Lulu Lloyd, Jaygee Macapugay, Cassie Okenka, Patrick O’Neill, Tally Sessions, Jesse Swimm, Jonathan Wagner and Jeremy Woodard. The children’s ensemble includes Taylor Caldwell, Ava Della Pietra, Jeffrey Samuel Kishinevskiy, Sofia Roma Rubino, Jersey Sullivan, Hayden Wall, Corinne Wilson and Shahadi Wright-Joseph. Based on the movie script by Mike White, School of Rock has a book by Julian Fellowes and direction by Laurence Connor. The stage musical features some songs from the film, with the rest of the score composed by Lloyd Webber (The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar) and Glenn Slater (Sister Act, Love Never Dies).
The production also features choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter, scenic and costume design by Anna Louizos, lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by Mick Potter and music supervision by Ethan Popp.
It is being produced on Broadway by Lloyd Webber for The Really Useful Group, Warner Music Group & Access Industries, The Shubert Organization and The Nederlander Organization. Nina Lannan and Madeleine Lloyd Webber serve as executive producers.
Warner Bros. Records is scheduled to release the original Broadway cast album Dec. 4.
Tickets can be ordered online at Schoolofrockthemusical.com/tickets or by phone at (800) 447-7400. The Winter Garden is located at 1634 Broadway between 50th and 51st Streets.
