DRAPER — Turn up the music and jam with the Draper Arts Council’s production of School of Rock – The Musical. Performed outdoors at the Draper Amphitheater, the production directed by Tony Akin opened on June 5th with live music and felt reminiscent of a summer rock concert. The open air environment allowed the cast to let loose on their instruments and turn up the volume. For those seeking a fun summer activity, School of Rock is a perfect evening pastime.
With music by the legendary Andrew Lloyd Webber, School of Rock – The Musical follows the same basic plot as the movie by Mike White, only with even more rocking music with lyrics by Glenn Slater and book by Julian Fellowes. Dewey Finn, a washed up wanna be rock star, poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. His bored attitude quickly changes when he realizes his students have the potential to shred, headbang, and holler with the best of the rock world. Together, his class prepares to take on the Battle of the Bands, while avoiding the headmistress and their parents’ wrath.
The highlight of this performance was easily the live band. Band director David Martin worked with five incredibly talented kids and Brady S. Hodgson, who played Dewey Finn, to create a real band. The ability to work in tandem with other instruments to create one beautiful whole piece of music, while not overpowering anyone else, is a high order for any band. The kids complemented each other’s abilities and truly rocked out together. The band was composed of Jude Hopson as Lawrence Turner on piano, Liam Schneider as Zack Mooneyham on guitar, Scarlet Nielsen as Katie on bass, Kiyan R. Wyness as Freddie Hamilton on drums, and Shelby Reardon as Tomika on lead vocals…