By NATE KING
Salina Post
Rock got no reason, rock got no rhyme…You better get me to school on time! Andrew Lloyd Webber’s "School of Rock – The Musical" is coming to Theatre Salina this month.
On this episode of "King in the Community" I sit down with Theatre Salina's Executive Director, Michael Spicer, to hear his take on what makes this season's finale unlike any production Theatre Salina has done in the past.
The musical is two hours in length, consisting of two-acts, plus intermission, based on the hit movie "School of Rock." The show opens on June 9 and will run on each Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the month of June.
The tuner follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn an extra bit of cash by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There he turns a class of straight–A pupils into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band.
"School of Rock it was a Jack Black musical and it just tore Broadway up. It [the show] is incredibly funny and again, the amazing thing about this show-when it was cast, we are by contract required to have the kids who play the kids, play the musical instruments," Spicer said. "We reached out to some of our resources in town and we, we recruited some of their students. And I'm here to tell you that these kids are phenomenal."
Spicer said Matt Gary, a Salina local who teaches guitar, plays guitar, and performs around town is playing the role of Jack Black.
"He's just got that energy and his beautiful wife, Stephanie is playing opposite him as the principal of the school. So that's phenomenal," Spicer said.
Lloyd Webber produced the stage musical on Broadway and in the West End, penning 14 new numbers for the show, which additionally features all of the original songs from the movie. The composer’s tracks “You’re in the Band” and “Stick it to the Man” are well on their way to becoming rock solid standards, while the finale with “Teacher’s Pet” brings audiences to their feet, eight shows a week.
School of Rock – The Musical, with its sensational live kids’ rock band, is a loving testimony to the transforming power of music.
For ticket information and showtimes click here.
Musical Cast
Dewey – Matt Gerry
Rosalie – Stephanie Gerry
Ned – Alex Engelland
Patty – Mary King
Summer – Maya Brown-Mereles
Zack – Lydia Gerry
Tomika – Keira Hoffman
Lawrence – Dominic Freeland
Katie – Anna Hull
Freddie – Ruby Barragree
Marcy – Camille Graber
Shonelle – Larkin French
Mason – William Howe
Billy – Parker Anderson-Kepley
James – Atticus Reynolds
Sophie – Alea Barnaby
Madison – Caroline Hiatt
Ms. Sheinkopf – Renee Toms
Ms. Sanders / Stella / Mrs. Sandford / Bartender – Callie Hobkirk
Ms. Gordon / Mrs. Turner – Kristina Freeland
Gabe Brown / Bob / Policeman – Bill Brown
Mr. Green / Doug / Mr. Spencer / Bar Guest – Spencer Wesley
Mr. Noble / Theo / Bar Guest – Evan Brandt
Mr. Bingham / Mrs. Hathaway – Stacy Jagodzinske
Mr. Woodard / Mr. Williams – Patrick Hoffman
Mr. James / Mr. Mooneyham – Jacob Brown
Mr. Hamilton / Snake / Teacher / Bar Guest – Allen Johnson
Ms. Macapugay / Jeff / Bar Guest / Mrs. Travis – Kinsleigh Showman
NEXT TIME IT COULD BE YOU!
Visit Theatre Salina's Audition Page for more information.