The musical comedy features a powerful cast of local adult and child actors

School of Rock has landed on stage at Miners Alley Performing Arts Center with a production that blows the roof off their new home. Based on the hit 2003 film starring Jack Black, MAP Associate Artistic Director Warren Sherrill has enthusiastically directed this rock ‘n roll musical with a powerful cast of local adult and child actors and musicians.

The story takes place at Horace Green, a prestigious prep school where parents spend big bucks to send their precious children. It focuses on the fifth grade and a group of super smart, musically inclined kids.

Enter Dewey Finn (MAP stalwart John Hauser), a substitute teacher with false credentials — actually, no credentials at all. Dewey lives with his best friend, Ned Schneebly (Matthew Murry), and Ned’s girlfriend, Patty Di Marco (Courtney Kofoed). She has been pressuring Dewey to stop taking advantage of them and pay rent or get out.

In a stroke of genius, at least according to Dewey, he uses his best friend’s name, who is an actual substitute teacher, to get his foot in the door as a sub to earn some much-needed cash.

Arriving at Horace Green, we are introduced to Principal Mullins (Katie Jackson) and a group of nine schoolchildren who will soon have the phony Mr. Schneebly rock their world.

Rockin’ the classroom

Dewey, a wannabe rock star, turns his classroom upside down with nontraditional teaching methods to get the musically inclined students into the prestigious Battle of the Bands, a rock music competition held once a year. Everything leads to a high-octane grand finale involving the students, their parents, Principal Mullin, and Dewey.

School of Rock showcases solid rock music. Much of it sounds alike in some respects, but that doesn’t distract from its power and intensity. It’s loud and likable, while the script is vibrant and heartwarming. The ultra-talented students perform much of the music themselves; however, a first-rate band above center stage features six talented musicians, led by music director Alec Steinhorn, to capture the entirety of the musical score.

Director Sherrill deserves high praise for creating a dynamic and engaging show that showcases the young performers’ talents. He has brought to life the spirit and humor found in the original film while adding his own creative touches and surprises.

Hauser is center stage for much of the performance in the role of Dewey and handles the spotlight with solid acting and singing. He is energetic and filled with a certain amount of vulnerability that strikes an emotional chord with the audience. Despite his shortcomings, we are cheering for him.

As Principal Mullins, Jackson is the perfect foil for Dewey. While not overly critical of him, Jackson maintains a smooth demeanor while helping Dewey with his plans for stardom. Jackson has a remarkable singing voice that fills the auditorium every time she is called upon to do so. Murry and Kofoed, as Dewey’s friends and landlords, enjoy a fantastic transformation from beginning to end and deliver with great ease and hilarity.

Of course, the show’s real stars are the nine young people at the center of the storyline. The group includes Liam Dodge (drums), Emmalyn Garces, Christoper Gawlikowski (guitar), Beckam Hall (keys), Peyton Moore (bass), Meika Qutub, Evie Sickbert, Adella Weldon, and Radley Wright. Each of them is spot-on in their respective roles, never missing a beat and showing the ability to maintain their characters throughout. They are true pros.

This Miners Alley production of School of Rock simply rocks. It is delightful family fare and a perfect way to beat the heat and spend time in the theatre this summer.