SCHOOL OF ROCK by Carol Kaufman Segal

            In 2003 Paramount Pictures released the film School of Rock starring Jack Black.  The film was a huge success.  School of Rock the Musical, based on the film, opened on Broadway in December, 2015.  With book by Julian Fellowes, Lyrics by Glenn Slater, and new music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, it is an exciting and extremely entertaining musical that is just right for all ages.  You can see it at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. (Recommended 8 years and up.  Children under 5 will not be permitted.)  

            Dewey (Rob Colletti) is an underachiever whose main interest in life is music and his guitar.  He has been taking advantage of the hospitality of his good friend Ned (Matt Rittner) whose wife Patty (Emily Borromeo) has had enough and insists on his paying rent or getting out.  When he seems totally down-and-out, the phone rings, he answers, and is taken for Ned who is offered a well-paying position as a substitute teacher in a private boarding school.

            Dewey shows up at the school pretending to be Ned.  When he enters the classroom, he has no knowledge of the subjects he is to teach.  All he knows is music, and when he discovers some of the students are adept at music, he ends up convincing all of them to form a band, and those who can’t play instruments all become backup or solo singers.  Dewy turns out to b a number one teacher to a group of young boys and girls when it comes to music and the subject is “Rock”!  The cast of young boy and girls are absolutely amazing with talent galore.

            Dewey has been lucky not to have had his classroom shenanigans discovered by the authoritarian Principal, Rosalie (Lexie Dorsett Sharp).  When he asks her out for a drink, she lets herself relax and she softens somewhat towards him.  But what is happening behind closed doors is finally discovered.  At first, not only is the school in a tiff, but so are all of the parents.  He explains to everyone involved that he has been grooming this class of talented musicians in order to win the Battle of the Bands.  The children plead with their parents to allow them to compete.   The school consents and the Battle of the Bands takes place.  Though the “School of Rock” does not win the competition, everyone turns out to be winners in the end.

            School of Rock plays Tuesdays through Fridays at 8 PM, Saturdays at 2 PM and 8 PM, and Sundays at 1 PM and 6:30 PM, through May 27, with one Thursday matinee at 2 PM, May 24.  The Pantages Theatre is located at 6233 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles.  Tickets are available online HollywoodPantages.com, Ticketmaster.com, by phone at (800) 982-2787 or in person at the Theatre Box Office which opens daily at 10 AM.

            HIGHLY RECCOMENDED.