Local Talent Shines Bright In School Of Rock Performance

That. Was. Incredible.

I went to School of Rock, The Musical last Saturday with my son, Gabe—and we’re not exactly newcomers to musical theater. My degree is in speech and theater, and Gabe’s already been in several middle school productions. So yes, we came in with expectations.

Sitting in front of us was a mom with her two daughters, probably mid-20s to early 30s. Before the curtain went up, one of them mentioned she’d never seen a stage musical before. After the final bow, she turned to the other two and said, very deliberately:

“That. Was. Incredible.”

She wasn’t wrong.

School of Rock is the right show at the right moment, and it’s running through next weekend. You should go—and you should bring people with you.

If you know the movie starring Jack Black, you know the setup. Dewey Finn is a lovable mess: a wannabe rock god, recently kicked out of his band, suddenly pretending to be a substitute teacher at an elite private school. When he realizes his students can actually play instruments, he hatches a plan to turn them into a rock band and sneak into the Battle of the Bands. Chaos—and growth—ensues.

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Two casts, one big swing

This production is double-cast, split into what the program calls the “punk” and “grunge” casts (we saw the “grunge” cast). It’s a smart move and a strong one: six roles are double-cast, while 28 actors perform in both versions. That’s ambitious theater—and it shows confidence in the material and the performers.

Dewey Finn: all gas, no brakes

Kevin Jennissen, a teacher at Apollo High School, takes on Dewey Finn, and he absolutely brings the energy. Think Jack Black levels of chaos: jumping on desks, tearing across the stage, singing full-out without missing a beat. Dewey can be a tricky character—he’s kind of a slimeball on paper—but Jennissen makes him the friend you want to root for. A round peg in a very square school, and proud of it.

The kids shine (and actually play)

The student performers are outstanding. Some younger actors appear in both casts, but the principal student roles are double-cast.

Gabe’s favorite was Freddie, played by Brendan Kiel from St. John’s Prep—a kid written off as “too dumb” for anything beyond cymbals in orchestra, who becomes the literal backbone of the band as its drummer. And yes, he’s actually playing the drums onstage. That’s no small feat, especially when the drummer can’t see the pit orchestra—and they can’t see him.

My standout among the students was ROCORI’s Izzy Neilsen as Summer, the type-A academic powerhouse who becomes the band’s manager. Totally believable, completely commanding, and exactly the kind of character who keeps the whole thing from flying off the rails.

Scene-stealer of the night

That honor goes to Snake, one of the adult roles played by Jae Hoeschen. He’s only onstage briefly, but he owns every second. I’m not sure actual rock stars walk like that—but if they do, chiropractors are making a fortune.

So… should you go?

Absolutely. Bring friends. Bring family.

This is contemporary musical theater done right. Yes, it’s based on a popular movie, but it’s not fluff. The music—by Andrew Lloyd Webber (Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar)—is modern, demanding, and performed at a professional level. The technical elements are sharp, the performances are strong, and the show never feels like it exists just to showcase young actors.

This was a Broadway show, and this community production rises to meet it.

If you’ve never seen a musical onstage, this is a perfect gateway. If you have kids in upper elementary or middle school, it’s an easy sell: classmates start a rock band. I caught the theater bug in junior high watching a touring production of Hello, Dolly. This show is far more accessible—and just as inspiring.

The first-timer sitting in front of me nailed it.

That. Was. Incredible.