Infectious energy in School of Rock

A scene of celebration in Musical Theatre Gisborne’s School of Rock which opens tonight. Picture by Liam Clayton

REVIEW

A show for the whole family and that the kids will love — that’s School of Rock, the Musical Theatre Gisborne production which opens tonight at the War Memorial Theatre.

The show opens with Dewey Finn, played by Kevin Harrard,  playing with his rock band No Vacancy.

Shortly after, he is kicked out of the band and to make matters worse he is about to be kicked out of his flat if he doesn’t come up with the rent —fast!

This leads to him accepting a job at a prestigious prep school as a substitute teacher using the identity of his friend, teacher Ned Schneebly, played by Liushaan Ngaira.

Dewey quickly turns the classroom into his new band. Maths and English are replaced by rock history, rock appreciation and band practice. He assesses the talent of his students and gives each one a role in the band.

The nerdy and officious student Summer Hathaway played by Grace McVey is given the job of band manager which she undertakes with great efficiency.

There are many high points in this pacey production which has the band competing in the Battle of the Bands.

The students find a passion for rock music and performance and the freedom that comes with that.

The predominantly young cast not only sing, dance and act but some of them also play instruments with Jake Latu on guitar, Rosie Sutherland on  bass guitar, Pyper August on keyboards and Jameson Steele on drums.  This adds an extra dimension to the performance.

Another highlight was hearing the incredible voice of Grace O’Connor as shy girl Tomika Spencer-Wiliams.

Charlotta Passe gives a stellar performance as principal Rosalle Mullins, showing her versatile and strong singing voice as she moves seamlessly from singing soprano to rock in a Stevie Nicks number.

Stand-out numbers were Time to Play led by Grace McVey and Amazing Grace by Grace O’Connor. Another is a heartfelt plea to their parents when the students sing If Only You Would Listen.

In the second act a poignant scene has principal Mullins remembering her youth in Where did The Rock Go.

But the song that you will go home singing is Stick it to the Man, where Dewey ignites the rebel inside his once studious class.

Kevin Harrard does well to fill the big shoes left by Jack Black as Dewey Finn in the movie. And hats off to the versatile ensemble cast as well as the pit band who are the glue that bind the show together, thanks to musical director Waiora Paul-Utiera.

Director Belinda Campbell has done a great job in getting the most out of her talented cast who have an infectious energy and are clearly having a great time on stage.

It is a show for the whole family and one the kids will love — upbeat and funny with catchy music that will make you want to sing at the top of your lungs.

Apart from a few issues with audio levels which I am sure will be sorted by opening night, School of Rock delivers on the director’s promise of being “a great night out”.