School of Rock Review/#34

When I first knew the name of the play of this semester and read the summary of the plot, I initially thought that it would be like a normal school musical performance. However, after watching this play tonight, I feel like I have a lot to say because there are so many different elements in the performance.

The story is basically followed by a clear story-telling line: Dewie Finn, the main character, is a lazy slob and washed up rocker who is kicked out of her original band. Then she gets a job as a substitute at prestigious private school coincidentally. At the school, she helps the students discover their own talent in music and they together form a band called "School of Rock". Throughout the story, Dewie conquers the criticisms from her landlady, the students, teachers and parents. At last, Dewie and the students successfully get understood by others and gain appreciation. All the problems Dewie meets are resolved at the end.

It's essential to discuss about the different characters in the play. For Dewie Finn, she is such a talented rocker with enthusiasm and patience. She is kind to the students and is a perfect representative of the group of people who pursue freedom and mere rock music. The strong emotions she expresses are successful. I am inspired by her, in fact. For Ms. Mullins, she is another strong and impressive character in the story. I really like to see how Ms. Mullins shows a real Ms. Mullins with the changes of the plot. And her solo is really touching. As a principal, she is obligated to satisfy the parents, so she hides herself with a strict and boring mask. After talking to Dewie, Ms. Mullins is able to tear her mask up and show a real woman to the audience. One of the students, Summer, is also a distinct character in the play. The audience can notice a sense of her disdain and suspicion when she first meets Dewie. However, she also does not want to be ignored in the new class, so she tries hard to attract Dewie's attention and gets involved in the band. At the end, she could also be a talented member in the "School of Rock".

There are a lot of comic elements in the performance, but what's more touching is when Ms. Mullins is singing her solo and the students are singing together to get Dewie back to the band. Every character has their own personality, and these are all shown to me throughout conversations and monologues.

It's the best musical performance I've ever watched.