As part of its Broadway Series, Paramount Theatre presents School of Rock, the Chicago professional regional premiere of the good-time musical based on the hit Jack Black movie, featuring new music from Andrew Lloyd Webber, directed by Trent Stork.
Wannabe rocker Dewey Finn has just been kicked out of his band. He can’t pay rent and his life is falling apart. When Dewey scams his way into a teaching job at a prestigious prep school meant for his roommate, he turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band. Dewey’s love of music and rock soon inspires the kids to pursue what they love.
The 2003 hit movie School of Rock, credited for launching Jack Black’s career, was written by Mike White. White also played Dewey’s friend Ned Schneebly in the film, and more recently, created HBO’s The White Lotus.
The musical debuted on Broadway in 2015, was nominated for four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and ran for 1,309 performances before closing in 2019. Andrew Lloyd Webber came on board to create new music for the musical version of School of Rock. Webber has composed the scores of some of the world’s most famous musicals including The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Evita. The book is by Julian Fellowes and lyrics are by Glenn Slater.
Opening Night is Friday, April 21 at 8 p.m. For tickets and information, visit paramountaurora.com or call (630) 896-6666.