David Fynn is swapping his TV comedy roles in the likes of The Inbetweeners, Sherlock, Game of Thrones and Undateable to play Dewey Finn (a distant, fictional relation?) in the Broadway transfer of Andrew Lloyd Webber's SCHOOL OF ROCK. He's joined by a band of #StageFaves stalwarts and 39 child actor-musicians found after a nationwide search... [Please note: unless they're put on by their parents or agents, we do not list information for child actors in shows.]
Today (8 September 2016) Andrew Lloyd Webber announces David Fynn is to lead the London cast of School of Rock – The Musical as wannabe rock star Dewey Finn. Lloyd Webber’s West End production will begin previews at the New London Theatre on 24 October 2016 with opening night on 14 November 2016, School of Rock – The Musical is initially booking to 12 February 2017.
Based on the iconic hit movie and with a rocking new score by Andrew Lloyd Webber, School of Rock – The Musical follows slacker and wannabe rock star Dewey Finn turn a class of straight-A students into an ear popping, riff scorching, all conquering rock band! Dewey poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school to make ends meet, and when he discovers his fifth graders’ musical talents, he enlists his class to form a rock group and conquer the Battle of the Bands. As Dewey falls for the beautiful headmistress, can he and his students keep this special assignment secret as they learn to fully embrace the power of rock?
Comedy star David Fynn will star as Dewey Finn, the role made famous by Jack Black in the film. His television credits include The Inbetweeners, Sherlock, Game of Thrones, a series regular in Pete vs Life for Channel 4 and Undateable for NBC/Comedy Central. On stage he has appeared at the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre and at the Donmar Warehouse in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. He is joined by Florence Andrews as Rosalie Mullins, Oliver Jackson as Ned Schneebly and Preeya Kalidas as Patty Di Marco. Please see accompanying document for cast and creative biographies.
The ‘grown up’ cast is completed by Gary Trainor as the alternate Dewey with ensemble members Jonathan Bourne, Nadeem Crowe, Michelle Francis, Rosanna Hyland, Cassandra McCowan, Joel Montague, Andy Rees, Cameron Sharp, Tasha Sheridan, Andrew Spillett and Lucy Vandi and swings, Charlotte Bradford, Jason Denton, Cellen Chugg James, Chris Jenkins, Alfie Parker and Charlotte Scott.
Andrew Lloyd Webber said:
“I’m delighted to be bringing School of Rock – The Musical to the West End this October, following what has been a hugely exhilarating experience creating and opening the show on Broadway, where we’ll soon celebrate our first birthday. As many people know, I’m passionate about children engaging with music from an early age, and to that end I cannot wait for UK audiences to see the remarkably talented group of young actor musicians we have found for our production. They’re currently blowing the roof off our rehearsal rooms working with our wonderful cast of grown-ups led by the hilarious David Fynn.”
Based on the smash hit 2003 film of the same title, School of Rock features music from the movie, as well as new music written by Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyrics by Glenn Slater and a book by Julian Fellowes. School of Rock – The Musical is directed by Laurence Connor with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter, set and costume designs by Anna Louizos, lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by Mick Potter, music supervision by John Rigby with Matt Smith as musical director.
Best seats for £10.00 will be available every Wednesday evening an hour before curtain to purchase as part of the School of Rock – The Musical Student Rush scheme. These tickets will only be available in person from the New London Theatre Box Office.
The nationwide search to find the three teams of thirteen young performers took place earlier this year. The role of Zack will be alternated by Tom Abisgold, twelve years old from Ashton Hayes, Toby Lee, eleven years old from Priors Marston and Jake Slack, twelve years old from Chesham. The role of Freddy will be alternated by Bailey Cassell, eleven years old from Dagenham, Jude Harper-Wrobel, ten years old from Kings Langley and Noah Key, twelve years old from Bridgnorth. Giles Carden, twelve years old from Cobham, Oscar Francisco, twelve years old from Coventry and James Lawson, twelve years old from Chiswick will alternative the role of Lawrence. Selma Hansen, eleven years old from Willesden, Lois Jenkins eleven years old from Lewisham and Sophia Pettit, thirteen years old from Morden will alternate the role of Katie. Isabelle Methven, twelve years old from Harpenden, Lucy Simmonds, eleven years old from Waterlooville and Eva Trodd, eleven years old from Bromley, will alternate the role of Summer. Madeleine Haynes, twelve years old from Barnet, Leah Levman, ten years old from Chiswick and Natasha Raphael, ten years old from Ealing, will alternate the role of Marcy. Alternating the role of Shonelle are Jaydah Bell-Ricketts, ten years old from New Cross, Shoshana Ezequiel, twelve years old from Watford and Amelia Poggenpoel, ten years old from Formby. Alternating the role of Sophia are Lola Moxom, eleven years old from Rochester, Mia Roberts, eleven years old from Shoreditch and Grace Schnieder, eleven years old from Maida Vale. Alternating the role of Tomika are Nicole Dube, eleven years old from Colchester, Amma Ris, eleven years old from Haringey and Adithi Sujith, nine years old from Wembley. Jobe Hart, nine years old from Edgware, Joshua Vaughan, ten years old from Birmingham and Logan Walmsley, ten years old from Buckingham will alternate the role of Billy. Presley Charman, nine years old from Teddington, Lucas Chow, twelve years old from Willesden and Ben Dawson, eleven years old from Portsmouth will alternate the role of Mason. The role of James will be alternated by Bradley Bissett, eleven years old from Ramsgate, Denzel Eboji, twelve years old from Dagenham and Sonny Kirby, eleven years old from Welwyn Garden City. The role of Madison will be alternated by Zachary Dowlatshahi, ten years old from Teddington, Harry Egerton, eleven years old from the Halesowen and Jacob Swann, eleven years old from Greenwich.
School of Rock – The Musical received its world premiere at the Winter Garden Theatre in November last year where it continues its smash hit run. Having broken house records, the production subsequently garnered 20 Broadway theatre awards nominations including four at the 2016 Tony Awards – Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score and Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical. The Broadway production has now been seen by over ½ million people and is currently booking to 28 May 2017. A national Company will launch a US Tour in the Autumn of 2017, playing coast-to-coast engagements across America.
Alongside the Broadway production Andrew Lloyd Webber launched a nationwide release of the rights for schools and youth groups to create their own productions of School of Rock – The Musical using the exact same score as the Broadway show. Here in the UK, plans are well advanced to replicate that success ensuring that schools, colleges and youth groups can look forward to being able to licenseSchool of Rock – The Musical.
Produced by Paramount Pictures, the 2003 hit film School of Rock was directed by Richard Linklater and starred Jack Black in a career-defining performance. School of Rock – The Musical is produced in the West End by Andrew Lloyd Webber for The Really Useful Group and Warner Music Group & Access Industries with Madeleine Lloyd Webber as Executive Producer.
