REVIEW: School of Rock - Passion Productions

School of Rock! The Musical

Book by Julian Fellowes | Lyrics by Glenn Slater | Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Presented by Passion Productions

Director: Connor Clarke

Musical Director: Jacqueline Atherton

Choreographer: Stephanie O’Shea

Featured Cast

Dewey Finn: Lachie Gleadhill / Rhys Schwarten

Rosalie Mullins: Isabel Kruse

Ned Schneebly: Jackson Kellaway

Patti Di Marco: Isabella Farry

Summer Hathaway: Saana Chang / Olivia Cowdrey

Tomika: Alessia Lily Monteverde / Addison Vogel

Zara: Emily Winwood / Olivia Hancock

Freya: Chloe Coleman / Alex Andrews

Katie: Shaynna Allen / Darci Allen

Lawrence/Laura: Joshua Ngo / Ammi Johnson

Billy: Henry Hedger

“You guys have what everyone wants… and that’s talent.”

When wannabe rock star Dewey Finn poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious school, he accidentally discovers a classroom full of hidden musical talent. What starts as a scheme to pay rent quickly turns into something much bigger, as Dewey forms a secret band with his students and sets their sights on the ultimate goal: Battle of the Bands.

As a music teacher myself, I had so many reflective moments at this show. That excitement, that pride, that spark where a young performer realises what they're capable of. That feeling of spotting something special and wanting to nurture it is something Passion Productions' School of Rock captures beautifully. It already feels like something’s about to happen when you take your seat. The lighting hits straight away, bold, colourful, and very “rock concert”. Paired with a live on-stage band, the production has a strong sonic and visual foundation from the get-go.

Let’s start with the obvious: the kids run this show, and they absolutely know it. From their very first entrance, there’s a spark. Not just fizzling energy, but an unfeigned thrill to be on that stage. And what makes it even better is that they’re not pretending to be a band… they are one. Playing their own instruments, navigating choreography, vocals, and dialogue, and doing it all with confidence in front of a packed audience. Honestly, some of these kids are already cooler than I’ll ever be. I don’t want to single anyone out too heavily, because the ensemble as a whole is incredibly strong. No one fades into the background. The cohesion, the commitment, the character work, it’s all there. That said, there are a few moments that really land.

Olivia Cowdrey as Summer is all precision and assurance, kicking off Act 2’s opener Time To Play like she’s been waiting her whole life for it. Addison Vogel as Tomika delivers an Amazing Grace that completely stops the room; an astonishingly soulful sound from someone so young, it will catch you off guard. With more acting experience, she will grow into a knockout performer.

Olivia Hancock as Zara brings a smooth, warm tone that sits beautifully in the mix while shredding on the electric guitar. Henry Hedger as band stylist Billy is an energetic delight, full of personality and completely in his element in this role. Alex Andrews as Freya is a tiny powerhouse behind the drum kit, already showing serious control and rockstar attitude. Darci Allen locks in on bass as Katie with a cool, confident air, while Ammi Johnson’s Laura on keys brings a quiet focus that balances out the group. The musicianship across the board is genuinely impressive… and, not going to lie, a little intimidating!

As Dewey Finn, Lachie Gleadhill steps into the big shoes of Jack Black and makes the role his own Aussie version. He captures the scruffy charm of the character well, with a strong vocal presence for his many songs and an easy rapport with both the audience and the kids. I would have loved him to push even further into the goofiness at times, really leaning into that larger-than-life comedy, but there is no denying his command as this mighty character.

Isabel Kruse as Principal Rosalie Mullins is poised and polished to perfection, with a stunning soprano and just the right amount of rigidity to make her arc land. Jackson Kellaway’s Ned fits the “classic teacher” awkward mould perfectly, and Isabella Farry’s Patti is… a lot, in exactly the way she’s meant to be. With many roles double cast, there’s clearly a huge pool of talent across the company, and it would be well worth catching the alternate cast to see what a completely different lineup brings to these roles.

Under Jacqueline Atherton’s music direction, the band and vocals work harmoniously together, creating a full rock sound while still allowing the young performers' voices to shine. At times, particularly in faster-paced stamina songs or rapid dialogue exchanges, clarity slips slightly. Stick It to the Man is easily the standout for pure energy. Stephanie O’Shea’s choreography is punchy, scrappy, and full of attitude. Not overly polished, just the right amount of mess to appear rebellious. This is where the cast really lets loose, and you can feel it ripple through the audience.

If Only You Would Listen presents a lovely tonal shift, beginning with an intimate performance by a group of four before broadening to include the entire youth cast to highlight the strain and distance between the parents and kids. And then Teacher’s Pet closes things out exactly how you want: loud, proud, and fully committed. Rhythm and cohesion in this number is tricky, but they absolutely rise to the challenge and do their best!

Connor Clarke’s direction leans into the fun of the piece, and it’s clear the cast, especially the kids, have been given space to play. There are some great improv moments scattered throughout, which keeps the show feeling fresh and alive rather than mechanical. The accents, the little local nods, the throwaway jokes that only we would get, all gives this production its own identity rather than feeling like a copy of the original. My favourite was the line: “Without Battle of the Bands, there’s no Harvard or QUT… you might get stuck going to Griffith,” which definitely got a snort-laugh from this reviewer!

The staging works cleverly with the space too. With no elevated stage, the action spills outward, especially during Battle of the Bands, pulling the audience right into the action rather than keeping them at a distance (shoutout to the daggy dad and mum dancing on stage left!) Visually, the contrast between strict school uniforms and full rockstar transformation is noticeably brilliant. By the end, it’s safe to say these kids are running the school.

What really stuck with me wasn’t just the performances, but the effort behind them. This is community theatre, and while it’s not a professional production, the level of passion, commitment, and talent on display proves just how strong this community really is. Between the live music, the fearless young performers, and a creative team that clearly understands the joy at the core of the show, School of Rock delivers exactly what it promises. It’s about finding your voice… and having the guts to use it. And this cast? They’ve definitely found theirs.