Bishop Stang High School looks to tune into rock in next production

Get ready to crank up the volume as Bishop Stang High School presents “School of Rock: The Musical” this spring, promising an electrifying theatrical experience for the audience. 

The student cast and crew have been hard at work transforming the stage into a rock-and-roll wonderland, putting their own hearts into this hit musical based on the beloved 2003 film. 

After getting thrown out of his band, the guitarist Dewey Finn, who is played by Jack Black in the movie, is in desperate need of work. When posing as a substitute music teacher at an elite private school, he exposes his students to hard rock, forming a team that would go on to compete in the local Battle of the Bands.

This is a comedic, uplifting adventure about embracing passions and finding a voice. Something theater students know all too well. In this Stang production, students will not only be singing live, but also playing their instruments on stage.

Jack Nylin, a sophomore from Dartmouth who has been involved in theater and playing the guitar practically his whole life, will be embodying the character of the band’s lead guitarist, Zach Mooneyham.

“It’s definitely a lot different than other shows that we’ve done, like the “Sound of Music” and “A Christmas Carol” — those were more tight-knit shows,” Nylon said. “But this is more loosey goosey, so we’re able to relax and actually enjoy the process of making the show and making the jokes and all the fun stuff.”

He noted one challenge of this production has been the limitations of what can be said given Stang is a Catholic school. However, he said, “I think our directors are doing a really good job working around those obstacles and are still able to harness the amount of funniness.”

Chloe Costa, a sophomore from Dartmouth who has also been involved in theater since pre-school, will play Summer Hathaway, the band manager.

Though a bit more on the quiet and reserved side now, Costa said she sees her younger self in the bossy Summer character.

Costa said, “It’s nice to kind of unlock that side of me that I haven’t really played into since I was little,” but added embodying their characters has been another challenge for the production, especially for students who see themselves as opposites to their part.

“For me, I’m used to playing more comedic relief characters and I’ve never really had the chance to play somebody who’s a little bossy, who’s a little mean — even though she is technically the comedic relief in the show,” she said. 

However, she said as the production nears show night and pieces start coming together, she understands better the decisions that went into casting.

“It’s personally my favorite out of all the shows we’ve done so far because it’s funny and I feel like we haven’t had a funny show at Stang in a while,” Costa said. 

“It’s really just a fun time for both the actors and the people who come to watch,” she added. “You’re not going to want to miss it. You’re not going to regret coming.”

Performances will take place in the John C. O'Brien Gymnasium at Bishop Stang High School, 500 Slocum Road, North Dartmouth. Showtimes are Thursday, May 1 at 7:00 p.m., Friday, May 2 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday May 3 at 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. 

Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students, children and senior citizens. They can be purchased online at https://payit.nelnet.net/form/aXYdQ7RJ or at the door.