Jenn Gambatese to replace Boggess in School of Rock

Broadway alum Jenn Gambatese will officially take over the role of Rosalie Mullins from Olivier Award nominee Sierra Boggess in the Tony-nominated production of School of Rock - The Musical, beginning 9 August 2016 at Broadway's Winter Garden Theatre. Ms. Boggess will play her final performance on 8 August 2016.

Ms. Boggess is set to return to the role of Christine Daaé, this time however, in French. She will star in The Phantom of the Opera at the Mogador Theatre in Paris, France, from October 2016. This marks the 30th Anniversary of the musical, as well as the first time it has been performed in France in the French language.

School of Rock - The Musical officially opened to positive reviews at Broadway's Winter Garden Theatre on 6 December 2015, following previews from 9 November, and it is currently booking through to 28 May 2017.

The principal cast currently features Tony nominee Alex Brightman (Dewey Finn), Olivier nominee Sierra Boggess (Rosalie Mullins), Spencer Moses (Ned), Mamie Parris (Patty), Evie Dolan (Katie), Carly Gendell (Marcy), Ethan Khusidman (Mason), Bobbie MacKenzie (Tomika), Dante Melucci (Freddy), Brandon Niederauer (Zack), Luca Padovan (Billy), Jared Parker (Lawrence), and Isabella Russo (Summer).

Based on the 2003 film of the same name and directed by Laurence Connor, School of Rock - The Musical features songs from the film as well as new music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater and a book by Julian Fellowes.

Synopsis: "In School of Rock - The Musical, down-on-his-luck wannabe rock star Dewey Finn poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school to make ends meet. When he discovers his students' musical talents, he enlists his fifth-graders to form a rock group and conquer the Battle of the Bands."

The production 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 produced on Broadway by Andrew Lloyd Webber for The Really Useful Group, Warner Music Group & Access Industries, The Shubert Organization, and The Nederlander Organization.

A West End production is scheduled to open at the New London Theatre on 14 November 2016, following previews from 24 October.

Jenn Gambatese's Broadway credits include 'Is He Dead?,' Disney's 'Tarzan,' 'All Shook Up,' 'A Year With Frog and Toad,' 'Hairspray,' and 'Footloose.' She also starred as Glinda in the National Tour of 'Wicked.'

- by Tom Millward