A new Andrew Lloyd Webber musical is set to open on Broadway in the fall - and as for the source material - it is based on a popular Jack Black film. NY1’s Frank DiLella has a preview of "School of Rock” in the following On Stage report.
Musical theater rock school is in session!
"School of Rock," based on the 2003 film, tells the story of a wannabe rock star who finds his bandmates in the most unlikely of places - a private elementary school. The film starred Jack Black as the down on his luck rocker Dewey Finn.
For the stage production, Alex Brightman will take on the role, and this musical marks a breakout moment for the performer.
“I'm so home. I'm home metaphorically too. This is where I live comedically, musically, and sardonically - this is the perfect blend of stuff that I love to do,” says Brightman.
"School of Rock" will feature music from the film, along with additional tunes by celebrated theater composer of mega-musicals like “Cats” and “The Phantom Of The Opera,” Andrew Lloyd Webber.
“It was a story that greatly appealed to me, and I wondered whether or not there would be a version that we could do using the songs from the movie, and then maybe using existing rock songs,” says Lloyd Webber. “But the more I got into it, the more I realized it actually needed a score, and we couldn’t do it by just taking songs from here, there and everywhere, and so I found myself filling in the gaps.”
With "School of Rock" being Lloyd Webber's first original musical on Broadway since "The Woman in White" back in 2005, he decided to approach the development process of this show a bit differently. The composer and his team workshopped "School of Rock" in front of audiences for eight performances at The Gramercy Theatre in early June to see what works, what doesn't and to get feedback.
“This is all-time first time told, but it seems to me, and I don’t know why in my advanced age I just thought of it, but it seems to be the best way of working I’ve ever had,” says Lloyd Webber.
"School of Rock" will begin performances at The Winter Garden Theatre, the former home of Andrew Lloyd Webber's “Cats,” starting on November 9.