‘School of Rock:’ The kids are alright
'School of Rock' runs through Oct. 20 at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte in ImaginOn
This review by longtime Charlotte arts critic Lawrence Toppman was published by The Charlotte Ledger on Sept. 21, 2024. You can find out more about The Charlotte Ledger’s commitment to smart local news and information and sign up for our newsletter for free here. And check out this link for Toppman’s archive of reviews in the Ledger.
Review: ‘School of Rock’ rings in optimism as a new generation takes the mic
A battle of the bands proves transformative for both kids and adults in “School of Rock,” on stage at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. (Photo by Alex Aguilar/Children’s Theatre of Charlotte)
by Lawrence Toppman
My favorite moment in “School of Rock” at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte came during the title song, as formerly staid students from Horace Green School blew the audience away in a battle of the bands. While young musicians soloed in the foreground, the adult backing band for the other numbers sat on an elevated platform at the back, beaming from ear to ear with their hands in their laps.
Those smiles said three things. “That’s right, people: The kids are really making this music, not us and not a recorded soundtrack.” And “A torch is being passed to the next generation, and it burns brightly.” And, perhaps, “That was me XXX years ago, and I’m proof you don’t have to give up what inspires you.”
That’s the main point of this show, which might’ve gotten more attention had every musical of the 2015-16 Broadway season not been steamrollered by “Hamilton.” It’s the strongest of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s outings in the 31 years since “Sunset Boulevard” — possibly excepting “Stephen Ward,” which has never come to America — for three reasons.
First, Julian Fellowes adapted the script for the 2003 movie pretty faithfully, adding a few funny moments for the completely predictable book of the musical. Second, Glenn Slater’s lyrics manage to tease the self-inflation of many rock songs without seeming like pure parody. Third, Lloyd Webber really can rock — not a surprise to those of us who listened to the concept album of “Jesus Christ Superstar” in 1970.
“You’re in the Band,” where the students find their musical strengths and the confidence to exhibit them, sets up an irresistible groove. The anthemic “Stick it to the Man” makes you want to sing along, possibly while making rude gestures. (I smiled at this sentiment from Lloyd Webber, who is the man: The richest theatrical composer of all time, a life peer who sat for 20 years in the House of Lords and became Baron Lloyd Webber. I don’t know of anyone sticking it to him, except occasionally critics.)
If you saw Jack Black in the movie, you know the story. Uncivilizable adolescent Dewey Finn — named for Huck, I guess — saw his hard-rock musical dreams dissipate. He now lives on the couch of former bandmate Ned Schneebly, who has become a substitute teacher and lives with a girlfriend who wants Dewey to pay rent or depart. Dewey intercepts a call for Ned from Horace Green School and, hoping to raise rent money, passes himself off as his buddy.
His incompetence remains miraculously undiscovered as he inculcates kids with the spirit of rock and prepares them for that battle of the bands. Of course, their parents are all controlling, disapproving and unheeding until a sudden joint epiphany; of course, shy Tomika will discover her voice literally and figuratively and belt out a big tune; of course, the uptight principal, a closeted Stevie Nicks fan, will liberate herself from a bun hairdo and her fear of failure. (Jennifer Poarch has an appealing personality in this underdeveloped role.)
Director Adam Burke gives us the illusion that the vital craziness onstage happens spontaneously, but he and choreographer Ashlyn Keller-Silver have crafted the stage movement carefully. Jeremy DeCarlos, who actually is a guitarist (as was Jack Black), carries the show. He’s like a hipper version of the “Oz” scarecrow: gangly, rubber-legged, wide-eyed, hair ready to fly away in a strong wind, continually confused and baffled by his own resourcefulness.
Yet many of the kids get moments to shine, from bossy band manager Summer (Clara Major) to winsome Tomika (Nina Davis). DeCarlos shouts out the young band members’ names over their final blasting reprise, but nobody can hear him, so I’ll mention them here: Wells Rappaport on guitar, Ash Bowman on bass, Ava Knox on keyboards and Grayson Humphrey on drums. I await their first tour.
If You’re Going: “School of Rock” runs at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte in ImaginOn, 300 E. 7th St., through Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 11 and 4 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. (No 4 p.m. show Oct. 12.) The School of Rock Charlotte House Band, made up of 12 to 18 student rockers, will play a selection of classic rock songs in half-hour concerts on Oct. 5 at 1 and 3:30 p.m.
Lawrence Toppman covered the arts for 40 years at The Charlotte Observer before retiring in 2020. Now, he’s back in the critic’s chair for the Charlotte Ledger — look for his reviews about two times each month in the Charlotte Ledger.
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