Photo by Matthew Murphy
Andrew Lloyd Webber's most recent hit School of Rock - The Musical begins previews tonight on the Lord's home turf. The British cast are getting set to "Stick it to the Man" at the New London Theatre in the West End and are hoping to mirror those positive reviews their Broadway counterparts received last year, when they officially open on November 14th. We say "Break a leg!" to our British friends and honour the Broadway production as our #ShowOfTheWeek!
Another reason to celebrate this anti-establishment crowd-pleaser is the fact that the show's leading man, Tony nominee Alex Brightman is slowly coming to the end of his tenure as Dewey Finn, having been with the show for almost an entire year now. Producers announced a week last Friday that Mr. Brightman would be playing his final performance in the musical on November 6th, before handing over the reigns to comic actor Eric Petersen. Broadway enthusiasts may recognise Eric from previous outings in 'Shrek The Musical' or 'Peter and the Starcatcher' on the Great White Way. Wider audiences may have seen him star as Shrek or as the lead role of Buddy in 'Elf' during those productions' respective National Tours. One thing is for sure though - Mr. Brightman will certainly leave some big, devil-horn-waving shoes to fill.
Returning to the Winter Garden Theatre - the same venue which famously hosted his infamous feline friends in Cats from 1982 to 2000 - has proven to be a real lucky charm for Andrew Lloyd Webber, as School of Rock - The Musical continues to draw large crowds, especially during the school holidays. The show has a number of undeniable strengths that leave you no other choice but to get on your feet and embrace that child within who has an unhealthy obsession for the air guitar. Where they find the amount of unbelievably talented children, who can play a variety of instruments live eight times a week, I will never know. And with a (mostly) brand new cast of children joining Mr. Petersen on stage from November 7th, it seems that reservoir is far from being exhausted.
When you think of rocking out and breaking rules, you don't necessarily immediately conjur up the image of Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber and Lord Julian Fellowes teaming together. (I would pay good money to see the two men - both in their late 60s - stage dive and crowd surf in the House of Lords in Westminster though!) The success of the show, however, once again gives weight to the old adage "Never judge a book by its cover."
Click HERE to read what "Downton Abbey" creator Julian Fellowes had to say about the project.
Webber and Fellowes are complimented well by Glenn Slater's easy-to-swallow lyrics and Anna Louizos has done an excellent job with both the set and costume design, with swift and seamless changes from gritty, low-lit rock clubs to the prestigiously squeaky-clean halls and classrooms of Horace Green. The adult rocker stereotypes are kitted out appropriately and more subtle costume choices are displayed by the children's school uniforms, which evolve with attitude by the time they take to the stage as a band. Full marks to this top-notch creative team!
If you haven't already done so, may I urge you to catch Alex Brightman's boundlessly energetic, Tony-nominated performance as Dewey Finn this week or next week, before he hangs up the guitar and over-sized school uniform for good. You'll wish you were in his band yourself!
Click here for tickets to School of Rock - The Musical, which is currently booking through to May 28th, 2017 at Broadway's Winter Garden Theatre.
Alex Brightman in School of Rock More Production PhotosOriginally published on