Lake Michigan College Visual & Performing Arts Department to present a rockin’ Spring musical

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. – The Lake Michigan College Visual & Performing Arts Department presents a high-octane stage experience when they bring "School of Rock: The Musical" to the LMC Mendel Center Hanson Theatre on the College’s Benton Harbor Campus.

 

Performances are at 7 p.m. March 28-29 and April 4-5, along with a matinee presentation at 3 p.m. April 6. Tickets are on sale through the Mendel Center box office.

 

According to show producer, production manager, and LMC Instructor of Theatre Shalico Sain, “School of Rock” is part of a thematic season, showcasing the power of arts and music on people's lives.

 

“It's a perfect contrast to the heavier, emotional content of our fall show, “I Never Saw Another Butterfly,” stated Sain. “We loved the script, story, and music and thought it would be a great way to draw in more community members since there is a diverse age range for the show. Our hope is that it will increase involvement in and visibility of our program.”

 

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s award-winning smash hit musical premiered on Broadway in 2015. Since then, it has been performed on stages around the world. Based on the hit film, this hilarious musical follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn a few extra bucks by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There he turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band. While teaching these pint-sized prodigies what it means to truly rock, Dewey falls for the school’s beautiful, but uptight headmistress, helping her rediscover the wild child within. 

 

“I am so thrilled to contribute to the season by directing “School of Rock.” As an LMC alumni myself, it is an honor to come back and share what I learned during my time with the performing arts department,” said show director and LMC Class of 2000 Alumnus Susan Matheny.

 

Cast members are:

Principles – Ella Harris as Rosalie Mullins, Landon Mitchell as Ned Schneebly, Elisa Sypian as Patty Di Marco, and Triss Wright as Dewey Finn. Teacher and parent ensembles – Wyatt Arms, Joanna Blue, Nora Bomar, Imyn Burton, Adrienne Glisson, Andrew Glisson, Sienna Harris, Val Heppler, Suzy Markle, and Axel Winn. Student rock band – August Bomar, Crosby Bearden, Em Radin, and Jack Selvidge. Student ensemble – Camille Glisson, Violet Glisson, Sadie Olson, Eva Olson, Phinn Regan, Piper Gray-Roll, Chloe Sherrod, Elizabeth Simons, and Cassidy Wang. Adult Rock Band (No Exit) – Ben Farac, John Taylor, Wes Shenker, and Alan Selvidge.

 

“School of Rock” is directed by Susan Matheny with assistance from Rebecca Derbas-Selvidge as music director. Additional members of the production team are: Greyson Sanders, stage manager; Ra’al Pelfresne, assistant stage manager and props; Juliet Golob, stage manager mentor; Matt “Dolphy” Clark, lighting designer; Andrew Moeggenborg, set designer; Aaron Olmsted, master carpenter; Nate Radin and John Taylor, scenic builders; Kyra Utroske, scenic paint artist; Alan Selvidge, sound designer; Paige Mulick, choreographer; Carole Withrow, costume designer.

 

Tickets are $15 general admission and $5 for students under 18. LMC students, faculty, and staff are admitted free. Tickets are available at www.TheMendelCenter.com/events 

 

SCHOOL OF ROCK is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of The Really Useful Group. www.concordtheatricals.com

 

About the Lake Michigan College Visual & Performing Arts Department  
The Visual & Performing Arts Department allows students to reach new levels of excellence through classroom instruction and public performance. Many programs, including instrumental and vocal music, theatre, and dance, are based in the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center, the only performing arts center of its kind in southwest Michigan. Here, LMC students have opportunities to study the performing arts in a venue that attracts thousands of patrons annually. Programs including drawing, painting, and graphic design allow students to explore the possibilities in the visual arts. 
 
Auditions are held for select ensembles that perform on the same stages as world-renowned touring acts. Students in any major also have opportunities to audition for plays and musicals, join three vocal ensembles, and perform in a variety of instrumental ensembles. One of only two colleges in Michigan to carry the prestigious All-Steinway designation, LMC has a team of highly qualified faculty that bring real-world expertise to the classroom.  

 

For more information about the Visual and Performing Arts department and performances, visit lakemichigancollege.edu/arts, email mmccaffrey@lakemichigancollege.edu, or call 269-927-8876.

 

The Mendel Center is 30 minutes from Niles and 40 minutes from the Kalamazoo and South Bend areas. It is located on the Lake Michigan College campus at 2755 E. Napier Avenue, Benton Harbor, Michigan, one mile east of I-94 (Exit 30) and one mile west of the US 31 Bypass (exit 24). Its GPS mapping address is 1100 Yore Avenue, Benton Harbor, MI.