School of Rock Previews — Page 10

I work at the show, and it is untrue to say that Alex does not do matinees. Yes, he takes some off, as well as the occasional weeknight, but he does not take every matinee off. Andrew had originally offered him the opportunity to have an alternate, but he turned it down saying that he wanted to do 8 shows a week.

Anyone who has seen the show knows that that is a Herculean task so he is out sometimes. All in all, though, his stamina and attendance are incredible for this type of role.

I got to see the show tonight for the first time and was heartbroken to see on the understudy board that Alex Brightman was out. Fortunately, Jonathan Wagner played Dewey to great triumph and I thought was really, really great in his performance—no complaints from me at all on his part! Man, what a role!

However, I can't shake the feeling that I'm really missing out on something special by not yet having seen Brightman. Has anyone seen the both of them and can compare? Seriously considering booking a second visit just to ensure that I catch Alex...

Alex did the matinee today. He did not do the evening show.

Herculean? Evita is a tough role. Jesus/Judas are tough roles. Elphaba is a tough role. The Elephant Man is a tough role. Dewey in School of Rock is not a tough role. And the show hasn't even been up 3 months and the understudies have all gone on? That doesn't bode well.

Yeah I haven't seen it live - but just the clips of Alex it looks like he's doing some maniacal workout every show - you gotta imagine that it wears a person down. Emotionally, vocally, physically, etc. I agree they should cave and get an alternate to give the guy a break or something

Saw the matinee today and it was full cast. I am so thankful that Brightman was in because it's an absolute star making performance. He is a ball fire on stage that doesn't stop, such an energetic performance. I would have no issue with him having an alternate for 1-2 performances a week. I really enjoyed the show overall, more than I had anticipated.

I am a little confused about the cast recording. I know it was recorded before the show officially started, but why are two songs that are in the actual show listed as bonus tracks? Is it the full Broadway company on the album?

Went to see the show two weeks from last night, 1/30 at 7:30 and was surprised AB was not performing. The man next to me kept saying "How do you not perform on Saturday night." Feelings on the production aside, it's a little crazy that he seems to miss so many performances. If you can't do 8 shows, have an alternate. The understudy has been on way too many times considering its 3-4 months into the run. It seems like going to see SOR is like playing Alex Brightman Russian Roulette.

It's becoming all too common for people to have alternates. In just this and last season we have Robbie Fairchild / Leanne Cope in An American In Paris doing 7, Alexander Sharp doing 7, Lin Manuel - Miranda doing 7, and now Alex Brightman seemingly doing 7. I'm not saying their roles aren't demanding (because yes, they are) but it's interesting to me how taking a performance off is starting to become more common. I wonder if it will start to become the norm.

But anyway - I really enjoyed his understudy but I think Alex should officially have an alternate since he seems to call out quite often.

Broadway Guru said: "

Are you sure that you saw the SCHOOL OF ROCK that's playing at the Winter Garden Theatre on 50th and Broadway? If you did you would know that Dewey is Herculean.

The role is at least equal to the vocal demands of Judas, if not greater, and there is the whole physical element that is not required of the characters you named.

Alex literally loses one to two pounds a show. I venture to say most Evas don't.

"

I certainly saw School of Rock, and while I'm sure the role takes a toll on a performer (like any lead does, particularly with rock vocals), it is utterly preposterous to suggest that it is exceptional in this respect.

Alex does not lose over a pound a show, and if he does, he has health problems. Also, how is he not a skeleton in that case?

Updated On: 2/15/16 at 04:57 PM

So, new Dewey standby/understudy...?

(I am VERY excited about this!)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFM4lI7oOZ0/?taken-by=willblum

We went to this past Wednesday matinee. I thought Alex Brightman had resumed matinees where it was a one-show day, but he was not in and it was not Wagner (the regular understudy) or Blum (the new understudy). Instead, it was Merritt David Janes. He hasn't really been mentioned in any thread on here that I can find and it really showed that he wasn't the regular understudy. The audience was awful too. In the second act, they started clapping along with the songs -- including Sierra Boggess' ballad!! Imagine people awkwardly trying to clap along to that. It was pretty bad and not being able to hear her song was extremely frustrating. We were really disappointed in the whole experience.

And, surprisingly, Will is doing all the evening shows this weekend.

https://twitter.com/will_blum/status/746380502664351744

(Go see him!)

Too bad he didn't do the Wednesday matinee too. Grrrr.