DANVILLE — There’s a real sense of community support for the Danville High School drama department’s upcoming presentation of “School of Rock.”
More than 50 students are involved on stage or behind the scenes. Three adults – including the Knox County Juvenile/Probate Court magistrate – will be in the orchestra pit. The district superintendent built stage props.
Curtain time for Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Broadway musical will be 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, March 18 and 19. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets — $10 for adults and $7 for students – may be purchased at the door or ordered online by clicking on “ticket sales” on the Danville Local Schools website.
The musical’s plot centers on Dewey Finn, who was fired as the drummer on a rock band. After faking his way into a substitute teaching job at an uptight private elementary school, he launches a plan to turn his music students into a band to audition for Battle of the Bands.
Jack Black starred as an off-the-wall Dewey in the 2004 movie version of “School of Rock.”
Danville sophomore Preston Owen is cast as Dewey. Will he follow Black’s off-the-wall approach?
“No, not like that. I feel like I can bring a more realistic version of Dewey, make him a real person,” Owen said. “I auditioned for the role because I wanted to stretch my acting ability.”
Previously, Owen sang in last fall’s production of “All Together Now” and was stage manager for “Willie Wonka.”
Auditions in December led to a cast of 29 high school, junior high and elementary students. Rehearsals began the second week of January.
Thirteen students are working on the stage and technical crew, directing lights and sound and cueing musical numbers. Seven others help with set pieces and props.
“There’s a lot of energy during rehearsals,” said director Kami Owen, vocal music and drama instructor. “This production is very important to the kids.
“They are very engaged in the show, taking on roles on stage and behind the scenes.”
Jessica Snarrekkam, family and consumer science teacher, is assistant director. She also made the costumes.
Fifth-graders Allie Vance and Emma Payne are digging into their roles, respectively, as Summer Hathaway, the band manager, and guitarist Zoey Mooneyham.
“I’m really excited. There’s a lot of live music,” Emma said.
On-stage music will be supported by five musicians in the orchestra pit. Chris Reiheld, Knox Probate/Juvenile Court magistrate, will play the piano; former Danville band director Christie Cochran will be on the keyboard, and Mark Owen, Kami’s husband, will play guitar. They will be joined by junior Owen Lyons on drums and senior Anthony Odu on bass guitar.
Danville Superintendent Jason Snively constructed a door for the set and attached wheels to the back legs of the student desks to make them easier to move on stage.
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