As a teenager, I remember feeling like my parents were still treating me like a baby and all I wanted to do was openly resist all of their rules and scream at the top of my lungs to listen to me and see that I wasn’t a baby anymore! Or in the words of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s newest Broadway musical School of Rock, “Stick it To The Man!”
School of Rock is based on the famous Paramount film written by Mike White, which starred Jack Black. The musical follows Dewey Finn played by Merritt David Janes (above), an unsuccessful, aspiring rock star. Dewey pretends to be a substitute teacher at an illustrious prep school after realizing he’s broke and getting kicked out of his rock band. When he notices his students’ musical talents, he recruits the fifth-graders to form a rock group and conquer the Battle of the Bands -all without their parents and school principal finding out!
Instead of math or science, the students spend the day learning about the history or rock n roll, the greats, like Led Zeppelin, playing their instruments and embracing the empowering message of rock. Ultimately, Dewey teaches the students the lifelong lessons that they are good enough as they are and that anything is possible. It’s a great message you can take with you, no matter what your age.
I was completely blown away by the talented cast of children in School of Rock. Although the children play fifth graders, this multicultural cast ranges from ages eight to twelve and play ALL of their musical instruments! It’s an enjoyable way for kids to learn about music and an inspiration to children that they can do anything they work hard at.
We even had a chance to hang around afterwards and chat with the incredible cast of the show. These children have started singing and playing instruments as young as two years old! Majority of them still go to school every day (or home schooling), rehearse once a week, and perform multiple shows a week! Although they admitted to being exhausted some days, they all agreed they loved what they do!
How to Get Tickets:
School of Rock is currently playing at the Winter Garden Theatre (1634 Broadway between 50th and 51st Streets). Orchestra seats start at $79. Get tickets, here.
FFM was provided complimentary tickets to facilitate this review, but all thoughts and opinions are our own. Thanks for supporting Football Food and Motherhood!
