School of Rock at Lake Worth Shreds

To “unofficially” start its 2024-2025 season, Lake Worth Playhouse is putting on a rendition of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s School of Rock at their historic venue in downtown Lake Worth Beach. For a seasonal community like South Florida, where the more wealth-affluent demographic leaves during the sticky summer, Lake Worth chooses to celebrate the year-round community with their first production of the performance season. Prized for its century-old facility, black box theater, and the showings of excellent indie films, the organization has something for everyone.

Upon arriving, and finding my seat among the aisles, I was impressed with the scenery and stage design by Cindi Taylor that loomed in the back of the stage. Large walls, resembling a prestigious outside facade or church-like structure, set the scene for the School of Rock, aka Horace Green. It was the small details that impressed me most about this apparatus; namely the molding at the stop of these walls that were styled like piano keys. Absolutely brilliant detail.

I am an individual who saw the original Jack Black movie when I was around the same age as the elementary students of Horace Green. It was such a formative experience for this young writer, deciding that music was something I could step into, whether I played an instrument, sang, made graphics, or managed, I didn’t care. After trying my own hand, I found that I could play the notes correctly, but I couldn’t play the music correctly. I knew my talents came from my sharp eyes for detail.

Which brings me to my observations of the cast and crew for Lake Worth’s School of Rock. First of all, the kids crushed it. This is something that needs to be first and foremost before any other attribute is commended: the children of this production deserve every accolade imaginable for not only their musical skills, but their palpable joy playing these characters, just living in the moment. So many children to name in such a short space, but I’ll do my best. Here’s to all the kiddos of School of Rock. Juliette Etzel Cabrera, Cal Fernandez, Juliana Zamorano, Joel Pereyra, Sagan Flanzbaum, Kiara Binah, Sophia Perez, Evelyn Pereyra, Kyler J Brooks, Anthony Cirisano, Zoe Willis, Amber V. Parla, and Gabriella Butt. Special commendations to Fernandez, Zamorano, J. Pereyra, and Flanzbaum for picking up real instruments and showcasing their talents. Binah also was a rockstar vocalist.

The adult cast members were even more numerous than the children, and I especially loved the performances of Trenten Hazelton (Ned Schneebly), Samantha Simpson (Patty DiMarco), and Rachel Begleiter (Rosalie Mullins). All the cast were so convincing in their roles, and that is in part due to the direction of Debi Marcucci. Such a wonderful show you all have put on. Bravo.

Special shout out is needed for the leading man of the musical, Alex Martinez as Dewey Finn. He may even be a better Finn than the man Jack Black himself. His acumen with acting and body language and a highly impressive falsetto are all reasons you should go check out this play, that is if the children weren’t enough of a reason.

Since my last time at Lake Worth Playhouse, this musical’s production value stands a step above the rest of what I’ve seen. My only criticism can possibly be formed by stage changes taking slightly longer than normal. But, with so many moving parts, and even the children helping wheel in instruments and desks and walls, it is to be expected from such a meaningful community theater experience. Keep doing your thing, everyone.