Now in its third year on Broadway, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 4* musical – School of Rock – at the Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway, as well as on London’s West End, offers 5* performances in this talent packed production.
Heralding Lloyd Webber’s return to his rock ‘n’ roll roots, this hilarious and unapologetically bawdy & ‘in your face’ stage adaptation of the 2003 film has won four Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Book, and Best Leading Actor in a Musical.
What it lacks in class and decorum it makes up for in pure energy and performance.
The songs are jolly, if not mostly forgettable, but you cannot fail to be impressed by the sheer theatrical tenacity of the stunningly talented kids and the formidable ‘Dewey’ – Justin Collette. He works his arse off!
There’s no question this is worth a visit for a fun packed, high energy night of escapism.
Book tickets for SCHOOL OF ROCK HERE!
Enjoy our HD Video REVIEW via YouTube:
School or Rock has clever lyrics by Glenn Slater, a hugely witty book by Julian Fellowes and direction by Laurence Connor.
At times I cringed at the cheap laughs, but, there were nevertheless huge belly laughs throughout at the world famous Winter Gardens Theatre on Broadway.
“I’ve seen better dressed salads” – even chef Ramsey couldn’t scoff at that line!
I felt both Acts could lose 15 minutes but over all it was seamless. The finale is naturally electric as you would hope and expect.
Most impressive was the speed and slinkiness of the scene changes – mesmerising in Act 1 with severe risk to life on several occasions. Broadway precision that you can only admire.
The best thing about School of Rock is that you don’t need to have seen the film – I hadn’t. It stands up as a great piece of theatre.
The kids in this show blow your mind. All playing live, as The Lord confirms before the performance, you cannot fail to be amazed by their discipline, talent and tenacity at such a tender age.
Review by Alex Belfield for Celebrity Radio 5th June 2018.
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