Andrew Lloyd Webber's School of Rock Musical Finds Its Leading Players

Broadway vet Alex Brightman (Big Fish) will lead the cast of the new Andrew Lloyd Webber musical School of Rock when it has its premiere at the Winter Garden Theatre beginning November 9. Opening night is set for December 6, producers confirm.

With a score by Lloyd Webber and Glenn Slater, and a book by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, the musical will be directed by Laurence Connor. Inspired by the 2003 film that starred Jack Black, School of Rock — The Musical tells the story of a down-on-his-luck wannabe rock star named Dewey Finn, who poses as a substitute teacher at a prep school and enlists his fifth-graders to form a rock group and conquer Battle of the Bands. The film was directed by Richard Linklater and written by Mike White.

Brightman takes on the role of Dewey, with further casting to be announced.

School of Rock is Lloyd Webber's first musical to open cold on Broadway since 1971's Jesus Christ Superstar. He is also the coauthor of Cats, Evita, and The Phantom of the Opera. Slater wrote songs for the musicals Leap of Faith, The Little Mermaid, and Sister Act. Fellowes is an Academy Award winner for the screenplay of Gosford Park.

School of Rock will feature choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter, scenic and costume design by Anna Louizos, lighting design by Natasha Katz, and sound design by Mick Potter. The Really Useful Group, Warner Music Group & Access Industries, the Shubert Organization, and the Nederlander Organization serve as producers, with Nina Lannan as executive producer.

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