New Kids Cast for School of Rock the Musical
by Best of Theatre Staff on Friday 2 February 2018, 9:40 am in Cast Changes and Announcements
Before school’s out this February half term, Andrew Lloyd Webber announces that later this month (24 February 2018) he will welcome a new group of kids to his Olivier award-winning production of School of Rock - The Musical. Continuing in the West End at the New London Theatre, School of Rock - The Musical is currently booking to 13 January 2019. In October this year an Australian production will open at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne, a Broadway production continues at the Winter Garden Theatre and the US national touring production is currently booking to September 2018.
Based on the iconic 2003 film of the same title, School of Rock - The Musical sees the kids from Dewey’s band compete in the legendary Battle of the Bands and embrace the power of rock! Playing live at every performance alongside the adult cast, the new kids company join the Olivier award-winning kids cast.
From 24 February 2018 the ‘kids’ cast comprises Santiago Cerchione, thirteen years old from London, Oscar Rice, eleven years old from London, and Phoenix Taylor, twelve years old from York, who will play Zack; Jasper Bew, ten years old from London, Annabel Gracey, twelve years old from Bradford, and Stanley Jarvis, twelve years old from London, who will play Freddy; Gus Graham, twelve years old from London, Alfie Humphreys, eleven years old from Buckinghamshire, and Austin Kindler, eleven years old from London, who will play Lawrence; Anya Cooke, ten years old from Bristol, Amelie Leatherland, twelve years old from Brighton, and Audrey Newman, ten years old from London, who will play Katie; Jarvis Baugh, twelve years old from London,Liam Hewitt, thirteen years old from the West Midlands, and Jensen York, eleven years old from Warwickshire, who will play Billy; Anya Hewett, ten years old from County Durham, Aaliyah Monk, twelve years old from Suffolk, and Freya Yates, ten years old from Sheffield, who will play Summer; Natahlia Colbourne, eleven years old from Kent, Fayth Ifil, ten years old from Swindon, andAaylia Rose, nine years old from London, who will play Tomika; Rayyan Chihi, twelve years old from London, Hugo Dunkley, eleven years old from London, and Jack Gale, eleven years old from Hertfordshire, who will play James; Heather Clementson, eleven years old from Hertfordshire, Romanie Jija-Wakeham, ten years old from London, and Grace Wood, twelve years old from Surrey, who will play Marcy; Daniel Luniku, eleven years old from London, Charlie Vyacheslavov, thirteen years old from Berkshire, and Jeremiah Waysome, eleven years old from London, who will play Mason; Vanecia Salam, eleven years old from London, Tia Stuart, eleven years old from Kent, and Shaye Temple, ten years old from London, who will play Shonelle; Zoe Coleman,eleven years old from London, Frankie-Mae Garner, eleven years old from Essex, and Darcy Snares, eleven years old from Essex, who will play Sophie.
Continuing the countrywide search for the opportunity to ‘join the band’, further kids open auditions will take place later this year in Bristol on the 10 March and in Leeds on 21April with dates to be announced for London, Manchester and Plymouth. If you are between 8 – 12 years old and play a rock instrument (guitar, bass, piano, and/or drums) or sing, registration and further details can be found by contacting Jessica Ronane Casting at rock@jessicaronane.com or at www.schoolofrockthemusical.co.
The three teams of twelve kids who make up Dewey’s band are joined by the adult cast comprising Stephen Leask as Dewey Finn, with Florence Andrews as Rosalie Mullins, Alan Pearson as Ned Schneebly, Michelle Francis as Patty Di Marco and Craig Gallivan as Dewey Finn at certain performances. The ‘grown up’ cast is completed by ensemble members Nick Butcher, Cassandra McCowan, Jessica Louise Parkinson, Andy Rees, Cameron Sharp, Jake Sharp, James Smoker, Wendy Somerville, Andrew Spillett, Hannah Stratton and Alex Tomkins with swings, Paul Kemble, Laura Medforth, Billy Mitchell, Tasha Sheridan and Joshua St. Clair.
With a rocking new score by Andrew Lloyd Webber, School of Rock – The Musical follows slacker and wannabe rock star Dewey Finn turn a class of straight-A 10 year old students into an ear popping, riff scorching, all conquering rock band! Dewey poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school to make ends meet, and when he discovers his fifth graders’ musical talents, he enlists his class to form a rock group and conquer the Battle of the Bands. As Dewey falls for the beautiful headmistress, can he and his students keep this special assignment secret as they learn to fully embrace the power of rock?
School of Rock features music from the movie, as well as new music written by Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyrics by Glenn Slater and a book by Julian Fellowes. School of Rock - The Musical is directed by Laurence Connor with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter, set and costume designs by Anna Louizos, lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by Mick Potter, music supervision by John Rigby with Matt Smith as musical director.
Produced by Paramount Pictures, the 2003 hit film School of Rock was directed by Richard Linklater and starred Jack Black in a career-defining performance.
School of Rock — The Musical is produced in the West End by Andrew Lloyd Webber for The Really Useful Group and Warner Music Group & Access Industries with Madeleine Lloyd Webber as Executive Producer.