November 27, 2015 – School of Rock, the new Andrew Lloyd Webber Musical now in previews at the Shubert’s, Winter Garden Theatre demonstrates that working with children on stage can bring brilliant results. It is based on the Paramount movie based on the life of Jack Black (8/28/69 – ) written by Mike White (6/28/1970 – ) and adapted for the stage by Julian Fellows (8/17/1949 – )(book), Glenn Slater (lyrics) and Andrew Lloyd Webber (3/22/1948 – ) (music). Opening Night – December 6, 2015 – Open Run.

The story follows the dreams of a “freeloader” musician Dewey (Alex Brightman) living at the home of an old musician friend Ned (Spencer Moss) now a school teacher and his uptight domineering wife Rosalie ( Sierra Boggess). She nags, claiming rent, when by a stroke of luck Dewey answers the phone from Patty (Mamie Parris) the Principal of Horace Green school (a typical upper East side uptight school) requesting that Ned comes in as a substitute teacher. Seizing the moment, Dewey impersonated his friend, to obtain a source of income to satisfy Rosalie’s demand for rent monies. Once ensconced as a teacher, he throws out the book and focuses only on music and preparing the class be a rock band at the upcoming “battle of the bands” competition. Gradually, the children are transformed into an amazing musical group, becoming enraptured with their teacher and “fighting the system” as the recurring theme – “Stick it to the Man” expounds.

The children all perform brilliantly, with Zack (Brandon Niederauer) on guitar and Tomika (Bobbi MacKenzie) vocals being noteworthy. Tomika, a retiring, shy girl decides she is not a back-up singer, but a lead vocalist, which she ably demonstrates with a rendering of Amazing Grace that had the audience stunned and enthralled. Zack, playing the electric guitar, brought the house down with his talent. Indeed, the children really made the show.

Dewey, ably played by Alex Brightman (last seen in Glory Days, Wicked, Big Fish and Matilda) carries the show with high energy, empathy and fast pace. Sierra Boggess (previously in It Shoudda Been You, The Phantom of the Opera, Master Class and The Little Mermaid) is adequate in her role as the uptight wife, who finally relaxes. Spencer Moss (previously in Doctor Zhivago, Guys and Dolls and The Farnsworth Invention) does a credible job as the nerdy, hen pecked teacher yearning for his alter ego rock musician. Mamie Parris (previously in On The 20th Century, Wicked, 9 to 5, Legally Blonde, Ragtime, The Drowsy Chaperone and 110 in the Shade) is brilliant as the uptight Principal, who lets her hair down with Dewey.

In conclusion – a fun show with a good story, abundant energy and excellent performances by all.