School of Rock Previews — Page 9

Exactly. And I don't know the extent of you working on the show, but nothing in School of Rock is new or groundbreaking. Except maybe the kids being the band? I mean, they're all great, but it wasn't enough to make me love the show. I just kept thinking if this show runs - which I assume it will - they are going to have a bitch casting this. All the boys are like right at the cusp of puberty before it starts to get a little weird.

Also surprised Andrew Lloyd Webber's name isn't anywhere on the marquee? Surprised they haven't pimped him out. Not that it helped Women in White, etc.

And regarding the lights - my phone cut out - they blind you a few times during the final song during the Battle of the Bands. I get the effect and all that, but it really ruined my enjoyment of the song to constantly get blinded by lights.

Ripped, I am not working on the show. I think Guru is. Whether the show is new and groundbreaking doesn't really matter, but it is most certainly relevant, and a lot of fun! It was sold out tonight. I want ALW to really do some crazy new musical like his early shows. And I think because School of Rock is more traditional, and not usually what Andrew does, he didn't want to put his name on the marquee. He said School of Rock is Mike White's story, and it felt like he was writing for someone else, and not some new big thing by him. That is why he hasn't been putting his name all over it.

Are you a bartender? Usher? I can't wait to see the show again!

So we should forgive ALW that this show is misogynistic and dated because ALW likes to work with children? I get that we all want work and to be working in our field but this show sets back women, gay men, and musical theater in general for years. It makes all women shrews, all gay men a punchline, and the show itself is downright boring. I'm sure it will sell well because it's selling to the least common denominator, but Matilda did so much more with the children.

Broadway Guru said: "We also are already developing a fan base. One man who was at the show tonight has seen it 28 times!"

I don't find those people to be a good indicator of quality. An avid theatergoer who went back a second time would mean more to me...

* count me as an avid theatre goer who's gone back a second time. My parents came into town wanting to see something, and after seeing the first preview, I reccomended this.

I'll admit, I have some problems with the show, but way less than I did with any of his other musicals since Phantom. Even the score, when it's not the best, is ridiculously hummable and catchy. The kids and Alex are giving tour de force performances.

The first time I saw it, I thought that "Where Did the Rock Go" was a missed opportunity. This should be the fun number where the Principal lets her hair down, dances on the bar, and earns her Tony Award for an off the wall take no prisoners comedic number. While I still wish we'd gotten that chance, the number that's there is still pretty good. And it wasn't the number I'd initially expected going in. In a musical based off of a hit movie with only a small amount of possible surprises to offer, this moment did surprise me.

but the weirdest thing for me was Sierra. On the first preview, her awkwardness garnered a ton of laughter, and I honestly thought she was giving a solid performance. Last Tuesday night? It was awkward watching her. Very few of her jokes in the first act landed, and only in the second half did she really get any real love from the audience.

that being said, given the enthusiastic audience response, and my parents asking me when they'd get to see it again, I think this is Andrew's best chance at a commercial hit in years. It's no Phantom in terms of spectacle or cohesion, and no Evita in terms of innovative storytelling, but it rocks. It rocks hard.

Updated On: 12/6/15 at 09:25 AM

Now come on, Ripped....will you allow me to gloat just a little bit now that the reviews are out?

Quite a few celebrities came out for the opening tonight. Joan Collins, Jerry Stiller, Stevie Nicks, Andy Karl, Orfeh to name just a few of my favorites.

Mike White came the other night.

I had no clue a TV show of the movie is being done and airing starting next month!

http://www.releasedateportal.com/tv-shows/school-of-rock-release-date-january-2016/

I know it got great reviews but I didn't think this was such a good musical. "Stick it to the Man" is a fun song. Watch it on You Tube. Then watch the movie. That's all you really need. Other than Stick it to the Man, the movie is better and what is on stage is exactly like the movie. Did we really need this musical?

Another movie not improved in its transition to musical.

So School of Rock broke the Winter Garden Box Office record two weeks in a row. Nice end to the year for them. Hope it continues to do well in these rough winter months

I saw the School of Rock matinee yesterday after getting a rush ticket. Greats seat, row P of the orchestra, full view. Upon posting on social media about attending the matinee, my friend texted me saying Alex Brightman does not do matinees. I was not going to the show specifically to see him, so I didn't mind he was going to be out (not to mention, his understudy, Jonathan Wagner, was fantastic) but, when did he decide he's not doing matinees? Can't find anything about it online. Just curious if anyone knows.

Anyway - The show was great! Overall I really enjoyed it. The music was so much fun! The kids are all incredibly talented and they were the my favorite part of the show. Really energetic. I have "Stick It To The Man" stuck in my head and it was my favorite song throughout the entire show. I've only seen the movie once so I didn't remember much about the story, nor have anything to compare to. The first 20 minutes or so dragged for me and I got a major "Rock of Ages" feeling but the show really picked up speed when the kids came out.

The only thing that really bothered me about the show was Sierra's dialect. A little confused by that, since when she had her big solo in the second act, she didn't seem to sing with any type of accent. It was just strange to me, not sure how else to explain it. She can SING though; always love her voice.

Will definitely recommend this show to my friends / family and will probably be back to see it again.