Theatre Under The Stars 2024 season opens another Andrew Lloyd Webber hit musical School of Rock, playing in repertoire at Malkin Bowl until August 24th.
With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater and a book by Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey), and based on the Mike White (White Lotus) penned 2003 film of the same name, starring Jack Black, School of Rock comes with some major credentials and lives up to them.
The underdog tale follows Dewey Finn, a down on his luck wannabe rocker, who, in order to pay the rent, stumbles into becoming a substitute teacher at the prestigious Horace Green prep school. After discovering his students share his love of music, Dewey forms a band of fifth-graders, in an attempt to win the upcoming Battle of the Bands and stick it to his former band and “the man”. Dewey and the students set out on a journey of self-discovery while showcasing their hidden talents. Colin Sheen plays Dewey with a perfect balance of downtrodden apathy and man-child enthusiasm further ignited once he finds his talent in connecting with and inspiring his students. Pulling the best from his dazzling dozen charges comes easy once he lights the fuse.
Director Tracey Power, Choreographer Matthew Rossoff and Music Director Eliza De Castro also pull the best from the amazing cast of young performers. Once the class is in session they take command singing, dancing and playing their hearts out, with enthusiastic stand out performances from the band students. Playing live on stage; Mya Forrest as Katie the brilliant bassist, Crosby Mark as Zack the kick-ass lead guitarist, Casey Trotter as Freddie the drumming dynamo, Fumi Okochi as Lawrence whose skills on the keyboards take him from zero to hero.
Azaleah Korn’s T0mika goes from wallflower to prima donna once she finds her powerful voice. The uptight Summer (Thailey Roberge) finds her calling as the band manager happily taking control while Billy, played by Grayson Besworth – returning to TUTS after last season’s Matilda – finds an outlet for his style and flair. Not only the students come out of their shell, Dewey also works his charm to inspire Horace Green’s uptight principal, Ms Mullins (Emma Love) to find her voice and confidence, while belting out a ditty or two.
The feel good vibes carry on throughout the two hour performance leaving the opening night audience enthusiastically joining in the fun to “Stick it to the Man”, School of Rock hits the stage in repertoire with CATS at Theatre Under The Stars until August 24th. For show details and tickets visit tuts.ca