Mt Barker Community College students tear up the stage in School of Rock: The Musical

Mt Barker Community College students rocked the Plantagenet District Hall over four sold-out shows with their production of School of Rock: The Musical this month.

Based on the 2003 film starring Jack Black and Joan Cusack, the musical interpretation features songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber and was chosen for the school’s yearly production by music and drama teacher Rhianna Reynolds to champion her rising male students in the lead role.

The cast performed at the Plantagenet District Hall on August 13, 14, 20, and 21 to sold out crowds who clapped along to the musical’s rocking songs.

Ms Reynolds said as the musical is set in a primary school, it gave the opportunity for some year 6 students to be involved in the production, which also included students from years 7 to 12.

She said the younger students’ involvement helped them begin their transition to high school.

“It’s so great, because you see the little year 6s blossoming,” Ms Reynolds said.

“And they’re fist bumping the big kids on the way around the school, and they’re not so worried about moving up into the big school anymore.”

The lead role of Dewey Finn was shared across the performances by Saxon Rutter and Rhiley Hamilton. Ms Reynolds said they each had their own take on the character.

“It was so great to see them do that; they just kind of had their own little ideas on how it worked and the rest of the cast worked around all of that, so it was great,” she said.