- Liane Morris
Rock On! School of Rock Musical Storms Newcastle Stage
School of Rock: The Musical is set to electrify the Civic Theatre stage during the July school holidays. Brought to us by the same producers and creative team behind last year’s smash hit, Billy Elliot, this is the first time the classic Andrew Lloyd Webber musical will be staged in Newcastle.
Based on the hilarious 2003 hit movie School of Rock, this feel-good musical follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn a few extra bucks by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There he turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, face-melting rock band – sensationally performed by a LIVE rock band of talented young musicians. But can he get them to the Battle of the Bands without being discovered by their parents or the school headmistress?
The original film, a critical and commercial success, not only entertained but also inspired a revolution in music education. Its unique blend of humour, music, and Jack Black's charismatic performance as Dewey Finn sparked the creation of ‘rock schools’ worldwide, a testament to the film's enduring influence and cultural significance.
Andrew Lloyd Webber, renowned for his work on musicals such as The Phantom of the Opera and Cats, acquired the stage rights and saw the potential to expand the story's musical elements and infuse it with live rock performances by young, talented musicians. The musical retains the film's spirit while adding new dimensions through its vibrant stage production. The transition from screen to stage brought with it a rock-infused score by Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater, and a book by Julian Fellowes. The musical has carved its own legacy, delighting audiences with its infectious energy and the universal appeal of its story about the transformative power of music.
School of Rock: The Musical made its world premiere on Broadway in 2015. Directed by Laurence Connor, the production featured standout performances, particularly by Alex Brightman as Dewey Finn, whose energetic portrayal earned him a Tony Award nomination. It then went on to London’s West End and international tours, bringing its electrifying energy to audiences worldwide.
The musical's emphasis on the importance of self-expression, teamwork, and following one's passion resonates deeply with audiences of all ages as it showcases the transformative power of music and the importance of embracing one's true self.
This production is being presented by Hunter Drama, one of Australia’s most celebrated academies for young actors, and
is produced by Daniel and Hayley Stoddart, the team behind The Very Popular Theatre Company and Stoddart Entertainment Group, the leading entertainment producer in the Hunter region known for bringing the highest quality of professionalism to all their productions. The show also stars the Hunter Drama Artistic Director, professional actor, director, producer and theatre educator James Chapman as Dewey Finn.
“It was always on the radar as a show we would like to stage,” said James Chapman. “It was almost a foregone conclusion that we would stage it at some point because it’s such a good fit for a youth arts company. We’ve been applying for the rights on and off over the years, and last year, I reapplied on a whim with no expectations of being successful because it’s so in demand. When we got the go-ahead, we realised we might never get the chance again. So, it was time to get our rock on!”
The show has also attracted the dream creative team, which worked together last year on the smash hit musical Billy Elliot for The Very Popular Theatre Company.
“There was really only one person we ever considered to take on this directing role,” said James. “Lauren Harvey had worked on Billy Elliot, Superstars and Oliver, and she was our first choice. With a large cast of children, it needs a special person at the helm, someone with experience and who works well with kids. We’re so lucky to have her.”
Lauren Harvey is an award-winning choreographer, director, vocal coach, performer, and costume creator. She has been a part of the creative team for ASPIRE (the Catholic Diocese’s performing arts program) since its inception and is passionate about youth involvement in theatre.
Musical Direction is by ARIA-nominated Dan Wilson, who is the resident Musical Director for The Very Popular Theatre Company and has a long string of credits to his name, including the fact that he created and conducted Superstars: A Celebration of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice starring Marina Prior, Silvie Paladino, Chloé Zuel and Joshua Robson earlier this year. Other shows in Dan’s list of credits include Billy Elliot, Jersey Boys, Chess In Concert, Mamma Mia!, and plenty more.
Vocal Director Alicia Patterson is a CONDA award-winning actress, powerhouse vocalist, and performing arts educator. Sound and Lighting Designer Jacob Harwood has worked across most Very Popular Theatre Company and Hunter Drama productions, has won his share of CONDA awards and is widely considered Newcastle’s favourite lighting designer. The set was designed by Eric Luchen, an award-winning Chicago-based scenic and production designer who has worked on multiple regional, Broadway, and international productions.
“The set is visually amazing,” said James.
“The designs are incredibly detailed, and the scale is massive. It’s very impressive. Billy Elliot may have had a bigger budget, but School of Rock will be no different in production quality. It’s the same creative team, and a number of the cast members were also in Billy Elliot. So, if you liked that show, I promise you’ll love this upbeat, feel-good experience just as much!”
With half the cast being comprised of Hunter Drama students, more than 150 went through the first round of auditions in October 2023.
“The biggest hurdle was finding actors who could also play musical instruments live on stage to a high enough standard,” said James.
“We needed a young male who could totally shred the guitar, and we ended up having to reach out to the Gosford Musical Society, who put the show on a few years ago. Jensen Hornsby, who plays Zack, did so for the Gosford show as well, so this is his second time around. He’s under 15 years of age and already plays in a band.
“The audition process prepares our students for the real world. They have to prepare, execute and maintain their performances with a high level of professionalism throughout the whole process. They know that many other students are keen to take their place if they don’t meet the expected
standards. Having said that, our cast is so talented; I’m in awe of them, really. We find that the kids often know their material better than the adult actors. I think back to when I was 12; I wouldn’t have been able to maintain the focus that these kids have. It blows me away.
“IT’S A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE TOGETHER AS EQUALS. IT’S REALLY SPECIAL AND VERY REWARDING."
“I’ve been teaching some of these kids since they were tiny, and now, we share a stage as peers. We know that the kids really value working with professional actors so that they can learn from them. The adult performers become role models.”
There is a cast of 19 adult performers, and aside from James (Billy Elliot, Mamma Mia) in the lead role, there is also Tayla Choice (Superstars, Wicked) playing Rosalie Mullins, Nick Langthorne (Billy Elliot, Jersey Boys) as Ned Schneebly and Lizzy Lindus (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Shrek The Musical) as Patty Di Marco. The adult ensemble also includes audience favourites Marty Worrall (Superstars, Chess), Alana Wilson (Chess, Rock of Ages) and Nerida Walker (Billy Elliot, Oliver).
“I’m particularly excited to be working with Tayla again,” said James.
“We studied drama together at TAFE years ago. She is an amazing singer with an operatic background and slays as the principal Rosalie Mullins.”
Like everyone else, James had to audition for the role of Dewey Finn and attend the callbacks.
“The role of Dewey is a character role but requires a strong singing voice. I’ve been taking singing lessons with Marty Worrall for a year to help with the part, not to mention guitar lessons. I didn’t realise I had a dream role until this came along, and this is it! The original Broadway actor actually blew out his voice while singing this part. There are some really
high vocals that I’ve had to work hard on with Marty to build my vocal stamina.
“The fact that I’ve been working as a drama educator for a long time and have developed a rapport with many of the kids in the show adds a certain chemistry to the performances, which is a real highlight. It’s also a high-energy role and is my first time in the lead. It feels a bit like running a marathon.”
The combination of aspiring student performers working alongside some of Newcastle’s finest adult performers is creating magic in the rehearsal studio, according to Lauren Harvey, the Director.
“You can feel the energy shift in the room when the cast is all together. There is a mutual respect from both parties. For the adults, their professionalism and skillset, but also for the kids, their incredible energy and how quickly they learn and adapt.
“We also have two lots of family members in the show - Marty Worrall (dad) and his daughter Jemima, also Kim Saarenpaa (mum) and her son Conway. It’s a special thing to watch a parent and child share the stage together, both enthralled in the theatre experience. Whilst most of the time it’s upbeat and fun, there is a poignant moment where Conway’s character, Billy, is singing If Only You Would Listen to his mum (Kim). It certainly will hit the hearts of parents in the audience, as I’m sure it does Kim.”
In May, the team put on a promotional event in Wheeler Place and gave away 520 complimentary tickets to the opening performance. The School of Rock’s Band Practice Live Concert kicked off at 5pm and the audience got a sneak peek of the show, met the cast, and rocked out to tunes as the sun set. The wearing of rock attire was encouraged as was playing air guitars.
“We put this event on to raise awareness,” said James. “It’s better known as a film, so we wanted to put the musical on people’s radar. It was also the first opportunity for the kids to perform the songs live for an audience. The little kids loved it, and there was plenty of air guitar action!
“It also became obvious to us that people were very keen to see the show but that the current cost of living crisis is impacting ticket sales. Theatre is seen as a discretionary luxury purchase, so it’s often the first thing that falls away for families on a budget. It was heartwarming to give away tickets to families that were so excited that they would give up their Sunday evening to come and hear us sing.”
In addition to the giveaways, Hunter Drama ran a two-for-one ticket promotion during June, making every effort to make the show as accessible as possible.
“We really believe that arts and culture are essential to the quality of life; we all learnt that during the pandemic. We’ve had more shows than ever before touring to Newcastle, which is exciting, but it also means there’s more competition for the dwindling discretionary spend. We’ve lowered our prices so that as many people as possible can enjoy the show. And this is one show that we can almost guarantee that people will enjoy, whether they are regular theatre-goers or not. It’s a perfect introduction to theatre and a reliable classic with an uplifting message that brings joy and laughter to every audience member, no matter their age. Add to that the fact that you’ll be supporting local theatre, local artists and creatives doing extraordinary work, and it’s a win-win for everyone!”
Hunter Drama’s production of School of Rock: The Musical will take over Civic Theatre Newcastle from the 18th to the 20th of July 2024. Visit www.schoolofrocknewcastle.com.au for more information.
