Broadway legend Andrew Lloyd Webber is excited to announce casting has been finalized for the national tour of his high-octane Broadway and West End hit School of Rock – The Musical! that will play the Broward Center for the Performing Arts December 12 – 24, 2017, and at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts January 2-7 (and also at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando until December 31).
School of Rock – The Musical is based on the smash hit 2003 film of the same, featuring music from the movie, as well as an original score by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater, a book by Julian Fellowes, choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter and direction by Laurence Connor. The musical follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn a few extra bucks by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There he turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band. While teaching these pintsized prodigies what it means to truly rock, Dewey falls for the school’s beautiful, but uptight headmistress, helping her rediscover the wild child within.
Soon to be rocking the roofs off of theaters across America, the School of Rock – The Musical national tour stars Rob Colletti as Dewey, Lexie Dorsett Sharp as Rosalie, Matt Bittner as Ned, Emily Borromeo as Patty, Merritt David Janes as Dewey Alternate, Deidre Lang as Ms. Sheinkopf, Olivia Bucknor as Shonelle, Theodora Silverman as Katie, Chloe Anne Garcia as Marcy, Carson Hodges as Mason, Gianna Harris as Tomika, Gilberto Moretti-Hamilton as Freddy, Phoenix Schuman as Zack, John Michael Pitera as Billy, Theo Mitchell-Penner as Lawrence and Ava Briglia as Summer. The adult ensemble features John Campione, Patrick Clanton, Christopher DeAngelis, Kristian Espiritu, Melanie Evans, Liam Fennecken, Kara Haller, Elysia Jordan, Jameson Moss, Sinclair Mitchell, Tim Shea and Hernando Umana. The kid’s ensemble features Rayna Farr, Bella Fraker, Alex Louis, Tommy Ragen, Gabriella Uhl and Aiden Niklas Villa.
It was a pleasure to sit down with Lexie Dorsett Sharp, who plays Rosalie, for this exclusive interview:
At what age did you begin singing/acting?
I actually started singing with a voice teacher when I was 6. Very early on I showed an interest, so I grew up singing in church, doing community productions, etc. I also played the violin for 10 years and played the Piano. I have always had a real love for music.
What was your first professional gig?
At the age of 15 at the Red Mountain Theater Company in Birmingham, Alabama I was hired to be a swing in Bee Hive, which was a 60’s revue show. I covered many of the female players. At the time, I was balancing high school and that show, but it was such a memorable time in my life.
Other than this show, what role has been your favorite to play and why?
I toured with Elf the Musical and played the mother role of Emily and I really enjoyed that. My husband in real life played my husband on stage, and that made it very special.
What’s your fantasy role?
Honestly because it hasn’t happened yet, I would love to play the diva in Spamalot (The Lady of the Lake), because it is such a funny and powerful woman role, and its comedy and that’s where I feel like I shine. Another role, which I have been up for a few times and haven’t played yet is the Witch in Into The Woods.
WATCH:
Is there a lot of pressure for you and the cast to perform in this musical since the movie is so iconic?
I have toured with Young Frankenstein The Musical, and the Addams Family, which both had a strong fan base due to the movie/TV show, and what I found in general is that most people are very happy when they see the shows translate onto the stage.
What should the audiences expect out of this touring company of School of Rock?
We keep all the iconic stuff and expand on it. The movie was mostly focused on Jack, and in the show we focus on a lot of the relationships. I have a lot of reign with my character, and I think it made the show more comedic and a better show. In addition, the kids (we travel with 16 kids). are playing the instruments live. It’s an unbelievable experience for the audience.
Also, Merri Sugarman of Tara Rubin Casting did a phenomenal job of casting a diversified group of entertainers. I think this is very important, and she did a wonderful job. It makes everyone be able to look at the show and see themselves in one of the characters.
School of Rock – The Musical opened on Broadway to rave reviews on Sunday, December 6, 2015. This Ben Brantley New York Times ‘Critics’ Pick’ “is an inspiring jolt of energy and mad skillz,” raves Jesse Oxfeld of Entertainment Weekly. And in his four-star Critics’ Pick review, Time Out’s David Cote proclaimed, “School’s IN – forever!” School of Rock – The Musical was nominated for four 2016 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score (Lloyd Webber and Slater), Best Book (Fellowes), and Best Leading Actor in a Musical (Alex Brightman). School of Rock – The Musical also won the 2017 Oliver award for Outstanding Achievement in Music.
Tickets for School of Rock will be available at the Broward Center AutoNation Box Office, 201 SW Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33312, browardcenter.org or by calling 954.462.0222. Orders for groups of ten (10) or more may be placed by calling 954.660.6307. Ticket prices start at $35.25.
Tickets for School of Rock at the Dr. Phillips Center until Dec 31 can be purchased at DrPhillipscenter.org and start at $54.75, and at the Straz Center from Jan 2-7 at StrazCenter.org, with ticket prices starting at $45.
For more information on Lexie check out her website at LexieDSharp.com, or on social media at Instagram.com/lexiedorsettsharp.
For more information on School of Rock, go to: ustour.SchoolOfRockTheMusical.com.
