The family friendly Andrew Lloyd Webber/Glenn Slater/Julian Fellowes musical School of Rock opened at Croswell Opera House last night and erupted with cheers throughout as an amazing cast shook the rafters with music, laughs, and charm. Get your tickets now before they are gone.
So, let’s get the nitty gritty underway first. Yes, the kids play their own instruments. Yes they are good. Yes, Aaron Roos as Dewey Finn (the Jack Black part) is as good as any professional I have seen in the role. Yes, it all looks great and moves quickly on Doug Miller’s set, and Yes, primary kudos goes to musical director/conductor Adam P Miller for making it sound incredible.
Erin Pifer directs with a nod to making sure the jokes carry, and Lilly Buck’s choreography is crisp and clean and, should I say kick-ass funny at times.
Aaron Ross commands the stage and you simply can’t take your eyes off of him as he sings, dances, pratfalls, and even brings pathos to the role (as is required for it all to work) that made Alex Brightman a household name on Broadway. He’ll charm you from the getgo. Bravo. The show explodes with energy in “You’re in the Band” and you’ll be dancing and clapping along to the final strains of “Stick it to the Man.”
The work Adam P. Miller has done with the cast is outstanding. The kids and adults all sound great – the choral numbers are pitch perfect, and the instrumental work with the kids is quite incredible. The audience burst into applause with each of the kids instrumental performances. (Getting it all to blend with the pit orchestra is no mean feat – credit Chris Goosman for the sound design.) The physics of having that many body mics (not only on the cast but also the instruments onstage and the orchestra) did result in a few pops and blats here and there, which will get ironed out as the show progresses.
Lighting by Dustin D Miller is sleek and colorful, and costumes by Jen Brown are beautiful. Everything looks visually slick.
Other standouts include Maya Gangadharan as Principle Rosalie Mullins, whose vocals are lovely and who brings fine acting chops to a difficult role; a very funny Jared Freeman as the “real” Ned Schneebly; and commanding Amber Wilkes as Ned’s girlfriend Patty.
I have long ago learned never to call out child actors by name because of the jealousies that inevitably arise backstage – but let me just say that every one of them is spot-on perfect throughout. Guitar, Bass, Drums, and Piano are played live. Watch the large dance numbers – every move is perfect, nobody is out of step, everything looks slick and professional. You almost forget that these are pre-teens onstage. They get screams of approval from the audience, and deservedly so.
I saw the show on Broadway so I knew what to expect going into this production, And I must say I got even more than what I expected. It is a fantastic evening at the theater with a feel-good musical, a cast popping with energy, and an electric mood throughout.
Highest Recommendation.
Mild language. Runtime 2:50 including intermission. Photo: Croswell Opera House.
School of Rock runs at Croswell Opera House through July 21st. Buy tickets only through Croswell’s website at croswell.org or by calling 517-264-SHOW — beware third party ticket sales. Only Croswell sells authorized tickets.
Mostly Musical Theatre 
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