'School of Rock' returns to Korea after five years, promises 'genuinely live show'

Brimming with excitement and slight eccentricity, actor Connor Gillooly on Thursday was a complete embodiment of the iconic Dewey Finn character, a failed rock-star-turned-teacher played by Jack Black in the original movie "School of Rock" (2003).

Actor Conner Gillooly plays the lead Dewey Finn in the ongoing tour production of "School of Rock" at Seoul Arts Center in Seocho District, southern Seoul [S&CO]

"Guess who's back!"

Brimming with excitement and slight eccentricity, actor Conner Gillooly on Thursday was a complete embodiment of the iconic Dewey Finn character, a failed rock-star-turned-teacher played by Jack Black in the original movie "School of Rock" (2003).

"I cannot believe I am back here. It's really a dream come true," he said at the Seoul Arts Center in Seocho District, southern Seoul. Gillooly was in Seoul five years ago to play the same role, showcasing the musical "School of Rock" for the first time to the Korean audience. The show is back this year, slated to begin performances on Friday night at the Seoul Arts Center's Opera House.

"School of Rock" follows a failed guitarist and wannabe rock star Dewey Finn who needs to hide his identity to get hired as a substitute teacher at a prep school. There, he discovers the students' musical talents and forms a rock band.

A scene from the 2019 world tour production of "School of Rock" in Seoul [S&CO]

The musical's score is by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater and the book by Julian Fellowes. It was first staged on Broadway in 2015 and given around 1,300 performances before closing in 2019. It was performed over 1,400 times on London's West End.

Unlike the movie, the musical's audiences can expect to see more developed characters and a deeper coming-of-age storyline for the protagonist.

"The musical explores more about Dewey's learning curve from a selfish character to someone who comes to realize the needs of the children and others involved," associate director Christopher Key said.

Creatives behind the ongoing tour production of "School of Rock" at Seoul Arts Center in Seocho District, southern Seoul. From left are associate director Christopher Key, associate choreographer Michaela Powell and music supervisor John Rigby. [S&CO]

Gillooly grew up watching the film "School of Rock" and said he was always drawn to Jack Black's performance. But in this role, he strived to be different from his idol.

"Black is one of the reasons I became an actor, but I never wanted to be derivative playing Dewey Finn," he said. "I had to bring my own brand of rocket sauce."

Rocket sauce, as Gillooly describes it, is one's own special essence that only that person can bring.

"Nobody could ever emulate Black's rocket sauce. You have to dig in and find your own rocket sauce, and I hope to show mine to the Korean audience this time around."

Actor Conner Gillooly plays the lead Dewey Finn in the ongoing tour production of "School of Rock" at Seoul Arts Center in Seocho District, southern Seoul. [S&CO]

The show also promises a live spectacle, according to the cast and creatives. The most awning above all is the performances by the child actors who perform instruments on stage as well as sing, dance, act and take on multiple roles.

"To see someone a swing over a guitar twice their size — and they play like a rockstar — just never ceases to amaze me," Key said, "and then for them to put that down and play like a rockstar in front of the drum set — It makes me question my life choices when I was 10, 11, 12 years old."

"There is something really magical about watching young people on stage because they have a fierceness and fearless[ness]," associate choreographer Michaela Powell said.

A scene from the 2019 world tour production of "School of Rock" in Seoul [S&CO]

This makes "School of Rock" one of the "few genuinely live shows," according to its music supervisor, John Rigby.

"Nothing is pre-recorded, and it is all generated inside the band in [the] pit and on stage," Rigby said. "It's a celebration of live music [...] There are not many shows that can make the claim as strong as 'School of Rock' can. This alone is worth your ticket price."

The best way to enjoy "School of Rock" is to simply let loose and "live the rock star life from your seat," as put by Powell.

Gillooly added, "Just remember two things: Get on your feet and sorijilleo! [scream]."

"School of Rock" runs through March 24 in Seoul, and then continues performances in Busan's Dream Theatre in April.

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]