You’re in the Band

School of Rock

Dewey Finn is a down-on-his-luck wannabe rockstar. He’s been renting a room from his lifelong friend and closet rock music aficionado, Ned Schneebly. Schneebly is a substitute teacher who shares his life with domineering girlfriend, Patty. But without a steady income, nor any inclination to find another job after being fired from his band, Dewey has turned into a freeloader in danger of losing his living quarters. 

One morning, after a quarrel over back rent, Dewey takes the opportunity to impersonate his substitute teacher housemate and accept a well-paying temp position at a prestigious private elementary school. Pretending to be “Mr. Schneebly,” Dewey at first writes off his students as boring little snobs. But, when he learns that music is also a tiny part of their curriculum, Dewey comes up with the idea to form a rock band with his talented, fifth-grade prodigies.

 Since Dewey has no teaching certification, and the exclusive school would never allow its students to be creative or have fun, he has to secretly expose the kids to his passion: rock and roll. Dewey thinks it would great, both for the children and himself, to organize a kids’ musical group for the upcoming Battle of the Bands. First, he adapts his students’ classical musical talents into mastering rock band instruments. Next, Dewey teaches his kids the history of rock music. Then he motivates three girls to form a backup group of vocalists/dancers. Dewey allows one of the more creative little boys to become the group’s stylist, appoints a young security officer, a technical director and a couple of roadies. Finally, drawing upon the organizational talents of one youngster, Dewey gives the little girl her dream job of being the group’s manager. He eventually draws out the jaw-dropping vocal talent of one very shy little girl, making her the star of their School of Rock.

Based upon the 2003 box office hit comedy film that starred Jack Black and a classroom full of musically talented kids, the movie came to the attention of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Soon the famed British composer acquired the theatre rights and work began on Webber’s newest musical. Julian Fellowes, known for his popular PBS television series “Downton Abbey,” was asked to adapt Mike White’s cinematic screenplay. Lloyd Webber, best known for his soaring, romantic scores for such theatrical classics as “Phantom of the Opera,” “Sunset Blvd” and “Evita,” returns to his earlier roots, so prominent in rock musicals like “Jesus Christ Superstar.” This time around, Webber worked with lyricist, Glenn Slater (“Sister Act,” “The Little Mermaid”) and developed a fleshed-out score for the theatrical treatment, that also featured some of the songs from the film. 

The musical opened in 2015 at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre. It was received with great anticipation by those who loved the movie, and with positive to mixed critical reviews by the press. The scenes and characters that worked so well on film are emphasized in the stage version. The sometimes heartbreaking backstories of the lovable fifth graders at prestigious Horace Green Prep School take precedence over other plot lines, while the Dewey Finn’s wants and needs as a struggling rockstar take a back seat. We still enjoy discovering what makes Rosalie Mullins, the uptight school principal, tick.  We also learn a little about Dewey’s landlord/housemates, nerdy substitute teacher, Ned Schneebly, and his domineering girlfriend, Patty. But what really makes this musical work is the cast of young, talented quadruple-threat actors and their relationship to their new teacher.

Under the experienced and talented guidance of Director Trent Stork, this production is simply sensational. The story moves along smoothly, with heartwarming harmony and plenty of pulsating, toe-tapping, head-bopping rhythm. Kory Danielson keeps everyone on pitch and in sync with his fine musical direction and pit orchestra leadership; and gifted choreographer Isaiah Silvia-Chandley has created all the right moves to help tell the tale with appropriate joy and wild abandon. An extraordinary, Broadway-caliber team of theatre artists include Scenic Design by Michelle Lilly, with Projections by the incomparable Mike Tutaj; a rock concert Lighting Design by Greg Hofmann; creative Costuming by the brilliant Izumi Inaba, festooned with Wigs, Hair and Makeup by Katie Cordts.  

Glenn Slater’s lyrics are witty and bright, when you can understand them (often the instrumentals tend to overpower the vocals). And, with just a couple exceptions, Webber’s music isn’t as memorable as the scores of his previous hit musicals. However, there are ear worms with the oft-repeated, “You’re in the Band,” and the infectious “Stick It to the Man.” Difficult to forget is the children’s plaintive entreaty to their parents, “If Only You Would Listen.” And Rosalie’s soul-searching  Act II ballad, “Where Did the Rock Go?” is another terrific song that would make an excellent cabaret selection or even a fine audition piece for a mature actress. 

Paramount’s cast is led by Nick Druzbanski in the role of Dewey Finn. This steadfast actor almost never leaves the stage and his charisma is matched only by his incredible talent and unstoppable energy. Nick, who was seen in supporting roles in Paramount’s “Rock of Ages” and “Beauty and the Beast,” portrays a slightly gentler, more sensitive and empathetic version of Jack Black’s original Dewey Finn. Veronica Garza is incredible as Rosalie Mullins. She makes a strict, yet funny, no-nonsense school principal, whose 11th hour transformation comes as a much-welcome, if sudden, surprise. Chicago favorite comic actor Jackson Evans has a field day portaying Ned with an earnest concern, both for his longtime friend and his enervating live-in girlfriend, Patty (played with emasculating fervor by Lucy Godinez). The adult ensemble ably share the roles of the other teachers at Horace Green, as well as the children’s parents, and veteran actress Mary Robin Roth is drop dead hilarious as both Assistant Principal, Ms. Scheinkopf and a Security Guard at the Battle of the Bands.

But the real heart of rock & roll in this production beats loudly from the company of young, eager students who become the members of the School of Rock Band. Every single juvenile actor is excellent, ideally cast, and brings so much to their individual character. Perfectionist and brown-nosing Summer Hathaway is magnificently portrayed by young Chicago actress Omi Lichtenstein. As Tomika, the shy little girl with the great big voice, Kayla Norris is spectacular and heartbreaking, and Julia Dale is perfect as the deadpan bass player, Katie.

Zack, the reticent, but talented guitar-playing, music-composing son of an uptight father, is sweetly played by Julian Wanderer. Master keyboardist and social underdog Lawrence is portrayed with shy sensibility by Leighton Tantillo. Freddy, the little boy who once only played the cymbals, transforms into the Band’s gifted drummer. Here, he’s created by brilliant young percussionist David Mattle. Played with flamboyance, attitude and devil-may-care confidence, Jaxon Mitchell is a delightful as fashionista Billy. 

Fourteen additional gifted, young actors alternate in supporting roles. They include Charlie Long and Savannah Lumar (AJ); Lily Martens and Roxy Salzman (Jamie), Gabriel Solis and Eli Vander Griend (Madison), Maya Keane and Clare Wols (Marcy), Elias Totleben and Levi Merlo (Mason), Meena Sood and Genevieve Jane (Shonelle), and Naya Rosalie James and Annabel Finch (Sophie). These young Thespians are absolutely first-rate and fill out the cast of 39.

While this musical won’t go down in theatrical history as Andrew Lloyd Webber’s best, Paramount Theatre’s stellar production is wonderful finale to their outstanding 11th season. The show is a warmly heartfelt message about learning to be yourself, not forcing others to be something they aren’t and discovering the simple joy to be found in the arts. All of this, brought to life by a cast of wonderfully versatile performers, makes this a show an absolute worthwhile experience. Audiences will be lining up with their children this Spring to drink in the joy, inspiration and opportunity in discovering that You’re in the Band!                                

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented April 12-June 4 by Paramount Theatre, 23 East Galena Blvd., Aurora, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the Paramount Theatre box office, by calling 630-896-6666 or by visiting www.paramountaurora.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.