Mike White News

School of Rock, presented by Greasepaint Theatre, rolls into town ROCKtober 26 through- November 4

School of Rock, presented by Greasepaint Theatre, rolls into town ROCKtober 26 through- November 4

Make no mistake about it: School of Rock isn't your mum's - nor your nan's - Andrew Lloyd Webber musical extravaganza. There are no massive chandeliers to come crashing into the orchestra, no fascist dictators to fear, no silent screen divas yearning for a comeback, nor are there are any human-sized felines staring at you across the footlights. Nope, Sir Andrew (as he's known across the pond) has crafted an energetic rock musical that's based on a movie that starred Jack Black and it will rock your freakin' socks off!

With back to school season upon us, students young and old are eagerly anticipating their first day of classes. But, for two handfuls of miniature musicians, the major assignment this school year is rocking around the country in the first national tour of SCHOOL OF ROCK, now onstage at the Music Hall at Fair Park, which concludes Dallas Summer Musicals 2017-2018 Broadway series. And even when the star teacher fails to make the grade, the kiddos pull together to ace the group project.

When it comes to seeing a fresh new show with low or even non-existent expectations, nothing is more pleasurable and satisfying than walking out at the end of it with a huge, beaming smile on your face. That was the giddy communal feeling that I and an ecstatic audience experienced recently during the highly enjoyable Orange County opening night performance of SCHOOL OF ROCK - The Musical, the charming 2015 Broadway musical now continuing its national tour stop at Costa Mesa's Segerstrom Center for the Arts for two weeks through August 5. While certainly not a groundbreaking, game-changing musical by any means, the nonetheless engaging SCHOOL OF ROCK is a definite crowdpleaser worth checking out. The kids in the show? Spectacular!

Andrew Lloyd Webber's smash hit School of Rock - The Musical, announced today that the show will play its final Broadway performance at the Winter Garden Theatre on January 20, 2019. By that date, the show will have run for more than 3 years, playing 1,307 performances and 31 previews. The production recouped its entire Broadway investment in May of 2017.

Over time, we have come to a point where the musical theater genre is as identifiable as any other genre. In today's age, we have come full circle in that the line between musical theater and other genres is thinner than ever. Lin Manuel's Hamilton is a perfect example of the next generation of musical theater, as is DCPA's latest touring production, School of Rock

Andrew Lloyd Webber's smash hit School of Rock - The Musical, now in its third year on Broadway, announced today that the show celebrates its 1,000th Broadway performance on Saturday, April 28, 2018, with the release of photos from the show's recent alumni reunion at the Winter Garden Theatre.

SLATE Live has teamed up with Employee of the Month with Catie Lazarus to celebrate the ninth year anniversary of the talk show, which The New York Times calls as a "beloved downtown institution." On Thursday, March 15th, downtown darling Catie Lazarus will interview and honor comedian Hannibal Buress (30 Rock, Broad City), Tony Award-winning Broadway and (now film) music conductor and director Alex Lacamoire (Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, Incredibles II); actor Emily Mortimer (The Party, Marry Poppins, Newsroom), musical guest The Resistance Revival Chorus, fresh from The Grammy's with Kesha and the Women's March.

I owe an apology to some friends. I claimed recently that SCHOOL OF ROCK the movie written by Mike White was based on SCHOOL OF ROCK THE MUSICAL but it's really the other way 'round. I'm that much of a (misinformed) theatre snob. Not so misinformed usually, but I admit Andrew Lloyd Webber isn't generally one of my favorite composers, despite my love of EVITA and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. That's why I was all the more surprised that SCHOOL OF ROCK, as it turns out, isn't all that Webber-esque. I didn't know this was a movie starring Jack Black, and I didn't know Webber quietly bought the rights for it, hoping to make it into a musical some day. Webber takes the original concept, with lyrics by Glenn Slater and book by Julian Fellowes (yes, the Downton Abbey Julian Fellowes) and voila! Somehow with a little help from Lou Reed, Stevie Nicks and Mike White, and a few others, the whole thing comes together quite nicely. I'll leave you to imagine what these guys do to a story that was directed by Richard Linklater for film. But, suffice it to say, this is Andrew Lloyd Webber, but it's not your mother's Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Somewhat muted and diluted at cavernous Ovens Auditorium, the touring company of SCHOOL OF ROCK is as talented and high-energy as their Broadway counterparts - reminding us that Andrew Lloyd Webber can truly rock.

Aspen Film today announced its full program of 29 feature films which comprise the 26th Academy Screenings at the historic Wheeler Opera House and the Paepcke Auditorium, both in Aspen. This annual film series, which has now been a part of Aspen's holiday tradition for over a quarter-century, running December 19-30, 2017, is a showcase that highlights a cross-section of the forthcoming awards-season contenders.

Jordan Peele's GET OUT tops the nominations for the 2017 GOTHAM AWARDS, Independent Filmmaker Project's annual ceremony honoring indie film. The film was recognized in the categories of Best Feature, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Actor for Daniel Kaluuya.

The Toronto International Film Festival® today revealed the hundreds of special guests and talent that will attend the Festival this September.

Musical Theatre of Anthem, in collaboration with Rhapsody School of Music, kicks off their 10th Season with School of Rock, a brand-new musical based on the famous Paramount film written by Mike White, which starred Jack Black. A production for ages 9-18, the musical follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn a few extra bucks by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. Completely disinterested in academic work, Dewey decides to create his own curriculum, turning his class into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band.

Breckenridge Backstage Theatre's 43rd Season gets a jolt of energy with their first all-youth mainstage production, School of Rock - The Musical (Youth Production), based on the hit Paramount movie written by Mike White.  The stage version with book by Julian Fellowes, lyrics by Glenn Slater, and new music by Andrew Lloyd Webber is ready to rock the boards in Breckenridge.  Dewey Finn, a down-on-his-luck and wannabe rock star decides to earn a few bucks as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school.  What could be hard about that?  Ignoring the rules and pleas of the school's administration, Dewey throws academia aside and creates his own curriculum, complete with guitar riffs, keyboard solos, and jam sessions.  Little does he know, but his rebellious antics and creation of a kids' rock band has inspired and empowered this group of over-scheduled prep students with the power of rock.

Lin-Manuel Miranda, the award-winning (Emmy, Tony, Grammy, Olivier, Pulitzer Prize and MacArthur 'Genius Grant' recipient) creative force behind the groundbreaking Broadway musical HAMILTON, writes new songs for this musical animated feature.

It is a genuine pleasure to see such a capable cast going through their paces with verve and a certain aplomb. When an ensemble so obviously enjoy what they are doing, it connects instantly with the audience, and a full house roared and applauded throughout the performance.

Gregory Boyd, Artistic Director of the Alley Theatre, has announced the cast and creative team of the Hubbard Theatre season opener, William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.  

Gregory Boyd, Artistic Director of the Alley Theatre, announces the cast and creative team of the Hubbard Theatre season opener, William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.   The Alley's 22nd Shakespearean production celebrates the new stage enhancements with an expansive set, live music and 43 detailed costumes outfitting a full 19-member cast. The production features members of the Resident Acting Company and begins October 7 and runs through November 5. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at alleytheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at 713.220.5700.