School of Rock shakes the Pantages
Listen to this articleTwo lifelong buddies, both former band members now have different lives, but are they really all that different? One became a school teacher and got married. The other has pretty much just given up on life. But then one day something very unexpected happens when the unemployed man takes a phone call intended for the school teacher man. Seems a local school wants to hire the teacher to be a substitute for a few weeks at a pay rate that dazzles the unemployed man so he accepts the job.
Now keep in mind that the job offer was not for the unemployed man yet he is the man who accepts the offer. That is the beginning but where it goes is how the word “amazing” is defined.
School of Rock – the Musical is based on the 2003 Golden Globe nominated movie School of Rock starring Jack Black, Mike White and Joan Cusack. School of Rock – the Musical has an original score by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater and book by Julian Fellowes. At the Pantages the cast features Bob Colletti as Dewey the unemployed band member now temporary teacher and dozens of clearly talented young performers, most in their early teens or even younger.
Once Dewey arrives at a very rigidly run private school to teach he does begin to teach but it ain’t readin’, writin’ and rithmatic he is teaching. Oh no Dewey falls back on what he loves most — music in general and rock and roll in particular. How this all develops and how it ultimately all ends up is clearly the core of the show which will, I promise, grab and hold you to the very end. Much of the magic comes from the very young actors who are nothing short of spectacular. Yes I do keep mentioning this because it is that powerful.
When the rather stuffy school principal, Rosalie [Lexie Dorsett Sharp] finally discovers what her substitute teacher Dewey is doing disaster is avoided by Dewey playing the Stevie Nicks trick. What is that you ask? Well watch the show and you will see for yourself but it is yet one more way School of Rock – The Musical entertains in ways most theatrical presentations just don’t. I am not saying School of Rock – The Musical is better that every other show, only that it is very unique, often extremely funny, filled with great music and some unexpected twists and turns.
One of the most compelling elements of the show are its many very young and supremely talented performers and that cannot be over emphasized. Just watching them is well worth the price of admission.
School of Rock – The Musical is at the Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, California now through May 27th 2018. Show times are Tuesday through Friday at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Recommended for age 8 years and up. Reservations and ticketing online at HollywoodPantages.com or Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-982-2787.
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Ron Irwin was born in Chicago, Illinois a long time ago. He served in the Marine Corps in Vietnam, became a trial lawyer, TV and radio host, CEO of a public company and once held an Emmy. He never won an Emmy he just held one. Ron has written and published twelve books. His most important book to date is “Live, Die, Live Again” in which Ron tells of his early life and his unexpected and very temporary death in 2012. That experience dramatically refocused his life and within the pages of that book Ron reveals how he achieved a much healthier life, ridding himself of Diabetes, Cancer and Heart Failure. Now Ron enjoys writing about many things including health topics, travel [he has circled the globe several times], adventure, culinary experiences and the world of performing art. Ron’s motto is “Live better, live longer and live stronger because it feels great and annoys others.” Contact the author.