The script shares the challenge of many movie-to-stage stories with many short scenes keeping the lively stage crew on their toes throughout. Director Jocelyn France masterminded this busy crew plus nearly 60 cast members — several playing their own instruments on stage — supported by four-piece rock combo band. The band was great but there were some issues with volume and balance with singers’ mikes.
Dale Wayne Williams as the failed, wannabe rock star Dewey Finn was appropriately not a singer’s singer, but what he may have lacked in pitch he more than made up for with energy, attitude and lovable underdog sense of leadership and “stick it to the man!". Kaitlyn Riel was his nemesis (but IS she?) the proper school principal hiding a rockstar heart and outstanding singing voice under her strict demeanor. Piper Liell was a charmer as the bossy, brainy Summer, manager of the band. Luis Lopez-Rodriguez earned his featured singer role. Ayden Soupal and Katrina Robinson were amusingly mismatched as the couple at whose home slacker Dewey was crashing.
School of Rock is a hit — full auditorium at Hannah Center — continuing through May 7
7pm Fridays, 3pm Saturdays and Sundays.
Tickets at the door or at https://www.cityofeastlansing.com/allofus