Porthouse Theatre’s ‘School of Rock’ teaches as well as entertains

First there was “School Of Rock” the movie that did quite well (to the tune of $131-million) that fired up the career of Jack Black. Seeing this success, Andrew Lloyd Webber (of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, “Jesus Christ Super Star”, “Evita”, “Cats” and “Phantom of the Opera” fame among others) undertook to transform the movie into a musical. His golden touch continued.

During the Sunday performance of this energetic show the male lead of Dewey Finn became ill with accelerated heart beat half way through the production. At the Wednesday show Bailey showed no ill effects of the experience as the show went off without a hitch. With his perfect “Jack Black” impersonation Douglas breezed through the show with nary a problem.

Dewey Finn (Douglas F. Bailey II) plays lead guitar for the “No Vacancy Band” (“Too Hot For You”) but has problems holding back his on-stage exuberance as he repeatedly upstages the lead singer. The band replaces him at the next rehearsal as the group prepares for the upcoming “Battle of the Bands”. Dewey returns to his place of residence (“When I Climb to the Top of Mount”)

Finn has been mooching off his former band mate Ned Schneebly (Morgan Thomas-Mills) who has acquired a girl friend, an apartment, a real job as a part-time teacher and some degree of respectability. Patty Di Marco (Kiara Sylvie Durbin) is the long suffering girl friend who wants Dewey out of the house. Finn’s financial problems are furthered complicated when he is fired from the record store he works at as Patty puts pressure on Dewey to pay his share of the rent.

Things turn around when principle Rosalie Mullins (Audra Casebier) of the prestigious Horace Green Preparatory School calls to offer a temp job to Ned. (“Horace Green Alma Mater”) Answering the phone, Dewey finds out that the gig pays $900 a week and assumes Ned’s identity showing up late and hung over the next day at the school. There he meets principle Mullins (“Here at Horace Green” Parts 1 and 2). Dewey is then introduced to his 13 temporary charges as he introduces himself as Mr. Schneebly.

The class is made up of well to do children (tuition is $50,000 a year) who suffer from parental induced lack of self esteem. They are a hard driven group of over-achievers with each suffering from some sort of adolescent personality quirk. Student Summer Hathaway (Parker Towns) attempts to educate Finn on the finer points of the Horace Green system. Dewey is shocked by the rigidity and tears down the “gold star chart” in disgust. He then takes a long nap letting the students run wild.

Back at the apartment Patty invites Ned to join her jogging. He declines saying he has papers to grade. Patty leaves and Dewey enters to find Ned playing Guitar Hero. They join together in the game as Dewey tries to convince Ned to join him in a music career as he reminds Ned of the perks (“Children of Rock”). Patty returns from her run to berate Dewey that he will never be a success and to have the rent in thirty days or she will kick him out.

Back at Horace Green School, Finn hears classical music coming from one of the classrooms. The children are virtuosoes with their various instruments as Rosalie sings opera to their accompaniment (“Queen of the Night”). Back in the classroom Dewey convinces the group that they can easily switch to electric rock instruments and enlists them into his new band.

Zack Mooneyham (Elliott Wancata) trades acoustic for electric guitar, Katie (Liv Hoffman) goes from cello to bass guitar, Lawrence (Josh DiSantis) easily jumps from upright piano to electric keyboard, and Freddie Hamilton (Axel Schmidt) finds himself behind the drum set. Shonelle (Maya Terlonge) and Marcy (Charlotte Dressel) become the backup singers with Madison (Fiona Thackaberry Stevens) and Sophia (Morgan Lehman) assigned as roadies. For tech he assigns Mason Ward (Declan Robertson) to lighting design, James (Michael Younkin) is security and Billy Sandford (Mason Cooper Brosch) is in charge of costume design. Summer rebels at the thought of being “a groupie” so is made band manager instead which perfectly fits her aggressive personality (“Your in the Band”). One girl, Tomika (Ava Kimble) is very shy and new at the school so Dewey holds off assigning her. Finn then hands out CDs homework of famous rock groups to bring the students up to speed.

The students go home and are met by their parents with belittling, bullying, dismissivness and anger at being interrupted during a business call. The children lament and sing out their frustration (“If Only You Would Listen”).

Back in class, Dewey improvises a new song (“In the End of Time”) while in the Faculty Lounge the other teachers complain how the children have become undisciplined under Dewey’s care. During practice Dewey tells Zack that he is too uptight and rigid and needs to loosen up. To do this he must get angry at “The Man” in order to really rock out. This leads to the class shout/singing (“Stick it to the Man”).

The class then decides to name the band “School of Rock”. They then sneak out of school in order to make the Battle of the Bands audition. Arriving late and with the manager on the verge of leaving Summer makes up a story about all of the students having terminal illnesses. The manager relents and has the group play (“End of Time”) which qualifies them to compete.

The real secret to this show’s success is in the casting, especially with the young actors playing the students. Not only do the need to sing and dance, some are called on to play a musical instrument. They must also exhibit varying degrees of adolescent social challenges and their gradual self healing through music (in particular rock and roll).

Douglas F. Bailey II is no stranger to the role of Dewey Finn and he plays the ultimate “racker” (rock and roll slacker). His interaction with the students is priceless. Special mention to Parker Towns as Summer who brings the attitude, Elliott Wancata as the hidden genius guitar player and song writer, Zack, Ava Kimble as the overly shy (until she sings) Tomika, Axel Schmidt as the superbly drumming Freddie Hamilton, Josh DiSantis as Lawrence who shows that it really is cool to play keyboards and Liv Hoffman who masters the moves as she takes on the bass as Katie.

Jonathon Taylor’s giant boom box stage set is an engineering wonder with various doors and a sliding stage for the rock groups. Jennifer Korecki’s six piece band picks up where the kids leave off and does it splendidly. Jakyung C. Seo’s lighting design works well for the production. Martin Céspedes teaches the youngsters some outstanding choreography. Lastly, the costume design by Abbie Hagen starts out all prim and proper (except for Dewey) and transforms the students into rock chic.

If you are looking for a fun summer show this definitely fills the bill. Combine a heartfelt message with an off the wall teaching method and throw in some rock and roll and you have a great reason to picnic prior on the surrounding theater grounds.

The Porthouse Theatre production of “School of Rock” will be on stage on the Blossom Music Center grounds through August 3, 2025. For tickets and information go to http://www.porthousetheatre.com or call (330) 672-3884.