School of Rock on Broadway: High Volume Talent

Given Scarsdale's proximity to Manhattan, tickets to a Broadway show are a popular gift idea for those who prefer to give "experiences" as an alternative to a durable gift. Lots of people have been asking questions about the brand new Andrew Lloyd Weber musical "School of Rock." They want to know whether its appropriate for kids and if the show is worth seeing without the former lead, Jack Black. I trekked into the city this week, just after opening night, to check it out and report back.

Andrew Lloyd Weber has returned to the Winter Garden Theater after a long hiatus, (his hit Broadway show "Cats" played there for more than a decade and a half,) and some would say he's better than ever. Not that he hasn't been busy with his other shows like "Phantom of the Opera" and and "Evita," among others. This time, his show is based on the well-received 2003 movie "School of Rock" and includes a mostly original score and a cast full of super talented kids. The lyrics are by Glenn Slater ("The Little Mermaid"), the book is by Julian Fellowes ("Downton Abbey"), the show is directed by Laurence Connor ("Les Miserables"), and the music is by Lord Andrew Lloyd Weber himself.

"School of Rock" stars Alex Brightman as Dewey Finn, the iconic role played by Jack Black in the film by the same name. It features a bunch of fourth-graders who attend the snobbish, uptight private school, Horace Green Prep. Dewey Finn is a wannabe guitar-playing rocker who gets kicked out of his band at the beginning of the show. He's behind on his rent and his roommate named Ned Schneebly, (played by spencer Moses) and his roommate's girlfriend (played by Mamie Parris) pressure him to pay up. Dewey has no job and is completely focused on winning the local Battle of the Bands even though he was booted from his band. He's often hung over. An underachiever and an opportunist, Dewey accepts a job at the local prep school as a substitute teacher under the guise of his roommate. Instead of teaching school, however, Mr. Schneebly/Dewey turns his classroom into a rock and roll mecca and convinces 13 prim-and-proper, classically trained but musically talented students to join his one-man band for the Battle of the Bands contest at a local dive bar.

The parents, the teachers, and the principal (played by the stellar Sierra Boggess of "The Little Mermaid" fame) are not pleased with what they see of this substitute teacher but he convinces them that he's qualified to teach and pulls the curtain over their eyes. The kids begin to trust him and loosen up and thus create their band, the "School of Rock."

Does Alex Brightman compare to Jack Black? The energy Brightman puts into the role is contagious and he has the audience laughing and clapping wildly. It's hard to knock a highly-pleased audience's response. Mr. Brightman told another publication that he loses two pounds per show and is on a strict diet to maintain his weight, which tells you something about the effort he puts into the role. Mr. Brightman doesn't just steal the show with his over-the-top performance, he also connects with his child co-stars on a musical, comedic, and dramatic level which will please all types of theater-goers.

Fourteen years after the movie, "School of Rock" on Broadway has been updated with present-day references to gluten intolerance, women earning 70 cents to the dollar, and an exaggerated tuition increase at the prep school. The kids cast in the show actually play their instruments. Although the kids are exceptionally talented in many ways, the lyrics are sometimes difficult to hear and understand because the background music is too loud (although one could hardly call it "background"). "Stick It to the Man" is one of the catchier musical numbers and is certainly one you'll be hearing for awhile. "If Only You Would Listen" is a beautiful number performed in Act I in which Horace Green kids are shown asking their parents to listen to their needs and wishes; it is heartbreakingly beautiful both in terms of lyrics and music. The Reprise of that song is special as the kids sing it to Dewey after it is discovered that he is not the real Mr. Schneebly. The kids really add to the fun and wow factor of the show: Bobbi Mackenzie, who plays the quiet and shy Tomika, surprises with a highly trained voice; Carly Gendell and Taylor Caldwell are adorable back up singers with all the right dance moves; Evie Dolan is the bass player with a highly entertaining bass-face; Brandon Niederaurer is the electric guitar player who has a fantastic voice as well; Luca Padovan is the "stylist" who is adorable and adds humor to the show.

The clapping at the end of the show was almost as deafening as the guitar solos but it is also evidence that this show is immediately creating a following and will be around for awhile. In fact, a West End production and national tour have been announced. So right after people accept the fact that Alex Brightman can play the heck out of Jack Black's character, audiences will have to be convinced that other potential Dewey Finns exist out there. Or do they?

Of the reviews I read about "School of Rock" I was shocked that I didn't read anything about the set design. I was blown away by the intricacies of the set design. Scenic designer Anna Louizos transforms the stage to a prep school, into a roadside bar and then into an apartment and the changes were magical.

As far as the show being kid-friendly, there is some profane language (including d-bag and some curse words as well as references to drinking and being hung over), but it's not terribly in your face and would likely go over many kids' heads. Unless your child is sensitive to bright lights and very loud music, most kids 8 and up would likely understand "School of Rock" and find it to be fun and even inspirational. Kids will love seeing the head-banging back-up singers and the cast of the show rocking out. That being said, it's certainly not a musical just for kids. Adults who enjoy rock and roll or loved the movie will find the musical version on Broadway to be a lot of fun. As with any Broadway show, it helps to familiarize yourself with the music and the story line beforehand.

School of Rock is on stage at the Winter Garden Theater; $145 top. Opened Dec. 6, 2015. Running time of 2 hours 20 minutes. Click here for tickets and showtimes.