School of Rock: Murray Bridge High musical will stick it to the man
MBHS will present the Broadway version of the Jack Black movie at Murray Bridge Performing Arts and Function Centre next month.
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Murray Bridge High School is ready to rock.
For the first time in six years, the school will present a full-scale musical next month: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s School of Rock, based on the 2003 movie.
Emmory Chilvers will play Dewey Finn, an out-of-work musician who lands a gig as a substitute teacher at a prestigious private school – the role portrayed by Jack Black in the film.
Alongside her will be a cast of students ranging from years 7-12, including some who auditioned while they were still in primary school last year.
Backing them up will be three quarters of a real life rock band – three members of local outfit Exit Plan are still MBHS students.
Tech students will build the sets, visual arts students will do design work, theatre production students will help with the sound and lighting, home economics students will provide catering on opening night.
Cast and crew members rehearse at Murray Bridge High School. Photos: Peri Strathearn.
Several staff members will be involved, too, including Ros Schultz on costumes, Jack Love on tech, Sean Hickey as musical director and Robyn Page as director.
Creative design senior leader Choo-Lee Long said getting everyone together over the past six months had been a great experience.
“It has been really great to have a project the whole faculty can get involved with,” she said.
“We’ve been trying to build links with Bridge Players (and Singers) too.”
Many members of the cast and crew, like year 8 student Tilly Millan and year 12 Jessica Deane, will bring prior experience with school productions or local theatre companies.
For others, like year 11 dancer Olivia Schulz, this will be something new.
“When I saw the school was doing School of Rock, my mum said ‘If you don’t do it, you’ll regret it’, so I’m doing it,” she said.
“It’s my first time ever doing something like this – it’s very fun.
“(You get to know) like-minded people, people who enjoy the same things.”
Ms Long hoped the school could return to presenting a major musical every two years, alternating with Unity College.
In the meantime, tickets for this one are selling fast.
- Performances: 7pm on June 6-8 and 12pm on June 8 at Murray Bridge Performing Arts and Function Centre.
- Tickets: From $20 at www.trybooking.com/CPZPC.
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