Chicago Tribune - Highly Recommended
"...The main stars, of course, are the kids. They play the instruments live, as the show keeps reminding us and they’re a fabulously talented and lovable crew. JoAnn M. Hunter’s choreography makes them look good all night. Inspirational, perhaps, for kids you may have sitting around at home. On their phones."
Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"...These kids have arrived (in significant numbers) on many Chicago stages in recent months, including in Porchlight Music Theatre's production of "Billy Elliot," Writers Theatre's "Trevor" and Victory Gardens' "Fun Home." What's more, they not only can act, sing and dance up a storm, but, at least in the case of "School of Rock" - now in a national touring stop at the Cadillac Palace Theatre - they also can play musical instruments. Mightily impressive."
Daily Herald - Highly Recommended
"...Don't be surprised if "School of Rock -- The Musical" makes your jaw drop repeatedly. That's because there's so much talent bursting forth from the stage of Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre in this hip and fun show aimed at progressive families."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...Adapting the original screenplay by Mike White, Julian Fellowe's book gives us Dewey, frustrated rocker and amoral slob, who cons his way into a teaching job at an exclusive elementary school, discovers that the students there have musical skill, and trains them to win glory in a battle-of-the-bands competition. That's just the start of a nearly endless swarm of implausibilities, but making sense is hardly the point when wish fulfillment is the commodity for sale."
ShowBizChicago - Highly Recommended
"...The cast of this tour is fantastic, lead by Rob Colletti as Dewey Finn who has an innate connection with the child actors he interacts with. This adolescent quality of Mr. Colletti allows for a more sincere emotional connection and the audience is instantly cheering for his character to succeed. Equally as engaging is Matt Bittner as Dewey’s longtime friend and ex-bandmate Ned, who has an engaging stage presence and quick comic reflexes which are paired perfectly with his onstage girlfriend Patty, played by a ferocious Emily Borromeo. Lexie Dorsett Sharp does a fine job as Dewey’s love interest Rosalie in what is arguably the most underwritten role in the musical."
Chicago On the Aisle - Highly Recommended
"...True to the spirit of the Jack Black film comedy about an aging rock 'n' roll wannabe who cons his way into a substitute teaching job and shakes up his class of uptight tweens, the Andrew Lloyd Webber hit is a hilarious slam dunk in both cities."
Stage and Cinema - Recommended
"...Now playing Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre on a national tour, School of Rock has as much to teach as to enjoy. And here that’s no small feat. Happily, this 150-minute screen-to-stage metamorphosis preserves the jokes and jolts of the Paramount film, a hymn to second chances."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...While they are all highly energetic, it is the kids that make this show a brilliant addition to the Broadway In Chicago season. Each and everyone is brilliant and they all play their own musical instruments. Yes, Dewey discovers that his brilliant class has musical talent and decides to make them a rock band that he will enter into the “Battle of The Bands” so he can beat his former band and show them that they made a huge error!"
Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended
"...While this musical won’t go down in theatrical history as Andrew Lloyd Webber’s best, it’s bound to find its way into educational, community and regional theatres across the nation. It’s heartfelt message about learning to be oneself, not forcing others to be something they aren’t and discovering the simple joy to be found in the arts makes this a show worth experiencing. Audiences will be lining up with their children to drink in the joy, inspiration and opportunity in discovering, You’re in the Band!"
The Fourth Walsh - Highly Recommended
"...Under the direction of Laurence Connor, these kids are amazing. They sing. They dance. They rock. And some of them are even jamming down on instruments. An animated Gilberto Moretti-Hamilton (Freddy) hitting the sticks with zest. An adorably unassuming Phoenix Schuman (Zach) and subtly badass Theodora Silverman (Katie) amp up the volume on guitar. All the kids lend voice and attitude to the musical numbers. “Stick it to the Man” is an upbeat anthem. The kids pound fists, jump high and ignite their revolution. It’s fun and uplifting! Its the kids vs the adults. And these kids are clearly the winners! Two other notable standouts are the hilariously, self assured Ava Briglia (Summer) and the powerhouse songstress Gianna Harris (Tomeka)."
Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Highly Recommended
"...So enjoy this tuneful satire of posh parenting and celebrate Dewey’s influence that allows some music to filter into these uptight lives."
Chicago Theater and Arts - Recommended
"...Directed by Laurence Connor, the touring company appears perfectly cast with Broadway actor Rob Colletti playing Dewey Finn, touring veteran Lexie Dorsett Sharp as school-head Rosalie Mullins, Broadway actor Matt Bittner as friend Ned Schneebly and Broadway’s ‘School of Rock’s’ Emily Borromeo as Patty Di Marco, Ned’s bossy, live-in girlfriend."
Chicago On Stage - Recommended
"...School of Rock may start out very slowly, but once it gets going it passes every test on the strength of a tremendous cast of adults and kids. It is well worth the evening out."
