(RED BANK, NJ) — Rock got no reason, rock got no rhyme…You better get me to school on time! Phoenix Productions, the community theatre company of the Count Basie Center for the Arts, presents its summer production of School of Rock - The Musical – this weekend from July 22-24.
Based on the 2003 movie of the same name, School of Rock follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn an extra bit of cash by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There he turns a class of straight–A pupils into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band. But can he get them to the Battle of the Bands without their parents and the school’s headmistress finding out? With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, this musical features 14 new songs as well as songs from the movie.
Performances take place Friday, July 22 at 8:00pm; Saturday, July 23 at 3:00pm & 8:00pm; and Sunday, July 24 at 3:00pm. Tickets are available for purchase online. The Count Basie Center for the Arts is located at 99 Monmouth Street in Red Bank, New Jersey.
School of Rock features a book by Julian Fellowes; lyrics by Glenn Slater; and new music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It is based on the Paramount movie by Mike White. School of Rock debuted on Broadway in 2015 and was nominated for four Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
School Of Rock offers opportunities for actors of all types and ages to perform on the historic Count Basie Center stage, The Basie Center has been Phoenix Productions’ home for more than three decades, with over 100 musical productions having been performed there since 1990. Earlier this year, Phoenix Productions and the Basie Center announced their intention to merge, pairing two of the state’s most dynamic arts and entertainment nonprofits to survive, grow and create in a post-pandemic performing arts landscape.
Together, Phoenix Productions and the Count Basie Center share the vision to bring together a diverse mix of talented artists who are committed to doing their best work in an inclusive arena.
The Cast includes: Dan Keysey (Dewey), Michelle Elaine Lucey (Rosalie), Jayson Dixon (Ned), and Angelina Francese (Patty).
The Students: Adriella Goncalves (Summer), Nick Buchanan (Zack), Kyla Jordan Puryear (Tomika), Stefanie Worton (Katie), Jason Katz (Lawrence), Anthony Shields (Freddy), Demsond Elyseev (Billy), Owen Beland, Sierra Friedman, Eliana June Gamble, Mateo Jurgens, Tommy Kortenhaus, Sophia LeBlanc, Lucia Elena Rossi, Bella Yang, and Leelee Yang.
The Adults: Kyle Anderson, Rod Belle, SuAnn Chen, Rebecca Conn, Lauren Friedman, Lex Friedman, Kimberly Gelfand, Kyle Kennedy, Connor Naspo, Marietta Racancoj, Morgan Rossi, and Matthew Tobio.
The Production Team includes: Corey Rubel (Director & Lighting Designer), Nicole Smith Levay (Choreographer), Kara Leigh (Music Director), Kyle Santopadre (Technical Director), Andrew Robinson (Scenic Designer), Justin Christopher Odon (Sound Designer & Properties), Joanne Penrose (Costume Designer), Alyssa Blonski (Production Stage Manager), and James Grausam (Phoenix Productions’ Artistic Director).
For over 30 years, Phoenix Productions has been dedicated to the mission of providing quality theatrical experiences on both sides of the footlights. Since their first production in 1988, they’ve produced over 100 main stage shows providing on-stage and backstage opportunities for thousands of talented volunteers.
The Count Basie Center for the Arts is New Jersey’s premier center for the cultural arts, dedicated to fostering powerful, inclusive artistic experiences and creative exchange of ideas. The Basie mission is to inspire, educate and entertain through its distinct and engaging cultural and artistic offerings that embrace and amplify the diversity of the region. As a nonprofit organization, the Basie is committed to enriching the community’s quality of life by generating opportunities for participation in the arts, partnering with schools, collaborating with other mission-based organizations, and driving regional economic prosperity.
School of Rock is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of The Really Useful Group.
