By Alexis Algazy
The theater world covets “triple threat” performers, who combine the talents of actor, singer and dancer.
At Morristown’s Mayo Performing Arts Center this weekend, cast members add a fourth label: Musician.
“I learned bass for the show,” said Amelia Corcoran, 13, who plays Katie in School of Rock, scheduled for four shows on June 3-5, 2022.
MPAC’s eighth annual community musical tracks Dewey Finn, a wannabe rock star. Desperate for money, he poses as a substitute teacher at a prep school, where he attempts to transform a bunch of obedient bookworms into rockers for a Battle of the Bands. His biggest obstacle: Their parents, and Principal Rosalie Mullins.
Director Cathy Roy said she always has wanted to present this musical. Emerging from a two-year pandemic hiatus–when everyone missed live performances and being together–seemed like the ideal time.
“The transformational power of art is exemplified in this production,” Roy said during a rehearsal last week.
It’s a story about “how rock can set you free,” added Avril Kagan of Mendham.
GETTING READY TO ROCK: Videos by Alexis Algazy and Kevin Coughlin for MorristownGreen.com. Click icon top right to toggle through playlist:
At 11, Kagan is one of the youngest actors in School of Rock, which features a younger and smaller cast than past MPAC productions such as Grease and Hairspray. There are only a few adult performers. Everyone else ranges from ages 9 to 18.
Corcoran had an edge when she picked up a bass for her role. The Morris Plains resident already played guitar.
“I’ve been able to convert my guitar knowledge to bass so that now, I could play the same level of songs on bass and guitar,” she said.
Ari Mandel, 14, of Warren, faced a different challenge: Un-learning guitar. In real life, he’s played the instrument since he was 8. In the show, he portrays Zack, who starts from scratch and becomes lead guitarist in the prep school ensemble.
“Once you’ve learned something, you don’t know how to mess it up,” Ari said.
Liam Houston, 12, of Morris Plains also brings some musical chops to his role of Freddie, the drummer. Jake Janis, 13, of West Milford, is comfortable playing classical piano; he must wrap his head around rock and roll keyboard to play Lawrence in the show.
These young actors provide much of the soundtrack, which includes songs from Jack Black’s 2003 movie and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 2015 Broadway reboot.
“The orchestra doesn’t play in the scenes where the kids play,” which is why this musical is rarely performed at the regional level, Roy explained.
Rehearsing several times a week since March has forged a supportive, family atmosphere, according to cast members. Many identify closely with their characters.
Juliette Trumbull, a Morristown High School senior who has studied at MPAC’s performing arts school for about seven years, landed the role of Principal Mullins.
“She’s a giant nerd, which I am as well!” said Trumbull, who must do a “complete 180” in the second act.
Kagan plays Summer, the manager of the band, who she describes as a perfectionist.
“She doesn’t like change,” Kagan said. “I am a bit of a perfectionist myself, so I can get into that. But I also can relate to the way she changes in the end. She’s more able to go with the flow and have fun.”
When asked if he has his own band, guitarist Mandel exclaimed: “This band!”
The feeling of family is especially strong for Jon Rodriguez, who stars as Dewey.
The 38-year-old Teaneck native was directed 20 years ago by Roy in Englewood at the Bergen Performing Arts Center, formerly known as the John Harms Theater.
After studying theater in college, his career included four years in a Vegas production of Jersey Boys. Returning to the Garden State to settle down with his fiancee, Rodriguez was invited by Roy to serve as assistant director for Les Miserables at MPAC in 2015.
Now, Rodriguez inherits a role made famous by Jack Black in the School of Rock movie. He must walk the fine line of blending his personality with the persona that film fans expect.
“I like to pay homage to the people that came before me. That’s what we do as actors. We share, we build off of each other, we learn from each other,” said Rodriguez, a guitarist since age 12
He also teaches theater at North Star Academy in Newark. So he feels he has a lot in common with Dewey Finn.
“I fall in love with my kids. I love working with them. Once you’re in my class, you’re in my heart, and in my family,” Rodriguez said, after leading a run-through of You’re in the Band, a signature number in School of Rock.
He thinks most audiences can relate to his character, too.
“Anybody is one bad decision away from being Dewey Finn,” Rodriguez said.
The Mayo Performing Arts Center presents its annual spring musical, School of Rock, with performances on Friday, June 3, at 7:30 pm; Saturday, June 4, at 2 pm and 7:30 pm; and Sunday, June 5, at 2 pm. Tickets: $20-$35. At 100 South St., Morristown, (973) 539-8008.
