Nothing gets the whole country interested in a Broadway show like a nationwide talent search, so Andrew Lloyd Webber is casting a really wide net for his upcoming School of Rock musical.
In a statement posted at BroadwayWorld, Webber and the producers announced the schedule for the open casting calls in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. They are searching for child actors to play the class to be taught by Dewey Finn (played by Jack Black in the movie), a rock star turned substitute teacher.
The New York casting call will be at the Winter Garden Theatre, where the show will premiere later this year, on Saturday, Jan. 24. Hopefuls in Los Angeles can go to the casting all at Screenland Studios on Jan. 17, while the chicago casting call will be at Actor’s Equity Association on Jan. 24.
“School Of Rock is hugely about how music can empower kid,” Webber said in a statement. “It will be a joy to discover and work with talented musical kids in the USA and, who knows, maybe discover a rock star or three of the next generation.”
Webber and the show’s producers confirmed in December that the show will open on Broadway beginning on Nov. 2, with the official opening set for Dec. 6, 2015. Les Miserables’ Laurence Connor is directing, with a book by Julian Fellowes and lyrics by Glenn Slater.
School of Rock originated as a 2003 Paramount film directed by Richard Linklater, who is also executive producing a Nickelodeon series based on the movie.
More information about the open casting calls is available at SchoolofRockMusical.com.