School of Rock welcomes new stars from tonight

Justin Collette assumes the leading role of Dewey Finn in the Broadway production of School of Rock - The Musical at the Winter Garden Theatre tonight. He will perform at all evening performances whilst Conner John Gillooly will cover the role as the alternate Dewey Finn at matinee performances. Eric Petersen played his final performance on September 24 and now departs to begin rehearsals for the Broadway-bound Jimmy Buffett musical Escape to Margaritaville.

School of Rock marks the Broadway debut for both Mr. Collette and Mr. Gillooly.

Levi Buksbazen takes over the role of Freddy from Raghav Mehrotra, Zachary Zwelling assumes the role of Zack from Brandon Niederauer, John Allyn replaces Sammy Ramirez as Billy, Gabrielle Greene takes over the role of Shonelle from Gianna Harris and Cory Leventhal assumes the role of James from Jersey Sullivan.

The current cast of School of Rock - The Musical includes Justin Collette (as Dewey Finn), Jenn Gambatese (as Rosalie Mullin), Steven Booth (as Ned), Becky Gulsvig (as Patty), Rachel Katzke (as Katie), Ruth Righi (as Marcy), Terrance Bell, Jr. (as Mason), Amadi Chapata (as Tomika), Levi Buksbazen (as Freddy), Zachary Zwelling (as Zach), John Allyn (as Billy), Walden Sullivan (as Lawrence), Olivia Chun (as Summer), Chloe Bryan (as Madison), Gabrielle Greene (as Shonelle), Cory Leventhal (as James), Demi Singleton (as Sophie), and Conner John Gillooly (as Dewey Finn alternate).

School of Rock - The Musical officially opened to positive reviews at Broadway's Winter Garden Theatre on December 6, 2015, following previews from November 9, and the show is currently booking through to September 3, 2018.

Based on the 2003 film of the same name and directed by Laurence Connor, School of Rock - The Musical features 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.

School of Rock - The Musical 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.