T H E AT E R
BY WILLIAM KENNEDY
THE CAST OF UPSTART CROW’S
SCHOOL OF ROCK
STICKIN’ IT TO
THE MAN
Upstart Crow stages the Broadway
hit musical School of Rock
E
ugene audiences have a rare opportunity this
summer to see School of Rock, a hit musical still
running on Broadway.
Eularee Smith, executive director of Upstart
Crow Studios, says it’s unusual for a show still on
Broadway to be licensed for nationwide production.
Upstart Crow Studios is a local nonprofit youth-oriented
performing arts association.
Upstart Crow was awarded the license on the merit of
the studio’s work with kids, Smith says. “The stipulation,”
she explains, “is everyone in the show has to be 18 and
under, and they have to be able to play live on stage.”
Based on the popular 2003 film of the same name,
School of Rock tells the story of Dewey Finn, a substitute
teacher with frustrated rock ‘n’ roll ambitions, portrayed
in the movie by frenetic man-boy Jack Black.
In a classic underdog story, Finn teaches his kids the
value of nonconformity and self-expression while
prepping for a “battle of the bands” competition.
Upstart Crow’s production, directed by John Deline, will
feature live music also performed by musicians under the
age of 18. Joe Ingram is the nonprofit’s musical director.
Like the movie, School of Rock features famous rock
songs, but unlike the movie, the musical has additional
material from acclaimed Broadway writer Andrew Lloyd
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Webber (Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables).
“We have 30-plus kids in the production,” Smith
continues, “all ranging from the age of 18 on down. The
youngest is 10.”
Smith admits it was challenging to fill the cast with
youth performers.
“We really recruited through band directors here in
Eugene and Springfield,” she explains, “and local rock ‘n’
roll-centered organizations for kids,” including Allstar
Rock Foundation, Grrlz Rock and Music Masters. Over
the course of two weeks, cast and crew will partake in
intensive, all-day rehearsals.
Smith says that, like rock ‘n’ roll, School of Rock
exhibits a vitality that never stops. “It’s the energy of the
music itself,” she says.
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Smith continues: “It’s very empowering for the kids. It
lets kids know it’s okay to speak your mind. There’s a won-
derful song called ‘If Only You Would Listen.’ It’s letting the
kids have that moment to say: ‘I wish you would listen to
me,’ to stand up and say, ‘Dad, I would rather play drums.’”
But Smith says School of Rock also has valuable lessons
for parents and guardians of underage children. “It gets
them to see their child as not an extension of themselves,”
she says, “but as a creative ball of energy that needs a place
to let it go, let it out. Kids do have the ability and account-
ability to be responsible when they’re empowered.” ■
Upstart Crow’s School of Rock runs 7 pm Friday and Saturday and 2 pm
Sunday, July 22-24, at LCC’s Ragozzino Theatre; $20, tickets available at
upstartcrowstudios.org or at the door.
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