By John Posada
originally published: 07/25/2022
(RED BANK, NJ) — Phoenix Productions, the community theatre company of the Count Basie Center for the Arts, presented its summer production of School of Rock - The Musical – from July 22-24. Photographer John Posada was on hand one night to take photos.
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 featured 14 new songs as well as songs from the movie.
The Cast included: 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).
Here are more photos from the production.
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 was presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of The Really Useful Group.
ALL PHOTOS BY JOHN POSADA - If your theatre company is interested in having John Posada cover your plays, contact New Jersey Stage at [email protected]. He has taken photos during live performances and dress rehearsals.
About the author: John Posada is a New Jersey based photographer specializing in photographing live theatre and music performances. Currently, John has spent the last 6 years concentrating on photographing almost 400 theater productions at over 70 different NJ theatres. Click here for John's website.
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