So let start by saying that I truly dislike the film, SCHOOL OF ROCK. A large part of that is due to how much I dislike Jack Black, as an "actor". But this musical was spectacular. It was just SO good, I don't know how else to describe it. Alex Brightman, obviously was influenced by Black's performance from the film but toned it down to a level that proved he didn't need to be grating and constantly annoying to make this role his own and play it perfectly.
I don't know where they found this group of kids. I mean, they hit the "kid actor" lottery with this group seeing as how there is not one of them who, at any time, shows any of those annoying child actor (especially child musical theater actors) habits that drive me crazy. These kids are just insanely f*cking talented and I bow down to them for only after 5 weeks of rehearsal (as ALW said before the show started), being able to bring more heart to their characters than I'd expect after months and months of rehearsals. When this cast hits the Winter Garden, they're going to blow New York away.
The rest of the cast is great, as well. I think someone said how it bothered them that the female characters weren't ever fully fleshed out but that wasn't an issue for me, seeing as how this wasn't a show about them. Maybe one or two extra scenes with Sarah Chase and another song for her would be good and that very well might happen. After the show, I spoke to ALW and he said the show still has a lot of work to do and lots of changes still to make. And that so impressed me that he wants to change so much of what I saw today since, if this were on a broadway stage, I would totally have not known it was only the 4th workshop it had ever had. But I can't wait to see what he changes so I can compare and get an idea of how his mind works on these things.
As far as the score goes, this is a very strong score with some great (and hummable!) music ranging from some lovely ballads to (obviously) rock, something he knows a thing or two about. And I can already tell that next season at the Tony's, they'll perform their audition song for Battle of the Bands- that just brought the house down.
But really - this show just f*cking rocked. I loved it.
Updated On: 6/6/15 at 05:46 PM