The cast of the "School of Rock," which is playing at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Photo by Matthew Murphy
Rob Colletti stars in School of Rock -- The Musical coming to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. We talked to the actor who was brave enough to take on the role that Jack Black made iconic in the 2003 movie.
So how does Colletti stay away from doing a Jack Black impersonation, and bring his own style to the Dewey Finn? Based on the film of the same name, "School of Rock -- The Musical" tells the story of rock star wannabe Finn, who pretends to be a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school after he gets kicked out of a band, and is mistaken for someone else. He takes a bunch of precocious fifth graders and forms his own band.
The movie was written by Mike White, but there was plenty of improvising by Black, which made the role synonymous with the actor.
The cast of the "School of Rock." Photo by Matthew Murphy
Colletti, original from a Chicago suburb, is starring in the first national tour of the musical, which was a hit on Broadway. This high-octane musical features 14 new songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber, all the original songs from the movie and musical theater’s first-ever kids rock band playing their instruments live on stage. Colletti "hopped around for three years" touring and on Broadway as Elder Cunningham in "The Book of Mormon."
miamiartzine.com: How did you change the character, which has so much of Jack Black infused in it.?
Rob Colletti: When they initial cast it on Broadway, they wanted to make sure that however the role evolved in the musical vversion that it wasn't a carbon copy of Jack Black's portrayal. Everyone knows his performance, and he drew the bones of this character just by being who he is. What is unique about JB and what made him a star out of this movie was that he built the world of this character; you think it's going to be one thing because of all the exposition they set up in the beginning. He's supposed to be this schlubby guy, and he doesn't take care of himself, and his responsibilities, but he has to have this side of him that's genuine and sincere.
Rob Colletti and Lexie Dorsett Sharp in the "School of Rock." Photo by Matthew Murphy
There are things about playing that character that are unavoidable, and there's only so much you can do to change the character because that's what the story is written around. I'd like to think that I sort of embody the spirit of the character but add some of my own sensibilities. I grew up with this movie, and grew up listening to Tenacious D (Jack Back and Kyle Gass's band). While there are definitely occupational hazards in trying to do an impression of Jack Black on stage, I also feel that it gave me the opportunity to really create my own version of Dewey Finn's world. I guess I see it as this person who pushes the story forward.
Rob Colletti and Phoenix Schuman in the "School of Rock." Photo by Matthew Murphy
maz: You trained with the premier comedy theater troupe, The Second City, based in Chicago. Do you think this helped you with the comedy in this role?
RC: Most definitely. You are trying to find the humor as an actor in the story because the laughs are built into the script. The book for the musical was written by Julian Fellowes (the creator, writer, and executive producer of the hit TV series, "Downton Abbey on PBS). The script is genuine and funny, so the comedy naturally comes with it. My time at Second City trained me very well to find these moments, and these comedic elements that might have otherwise slipped through my fingers. I learned much at Second City. The way that they teach comedy there is so pure and so genuine and honest. I truly owe so much of what I learned
maz: How long has this show been out on the road?
RC: Well, we're on our 10th or 11th week of performance, so I think we've hit our full stride, and audiences are so receptive.
maz: Do you have a favorite moment in the show?
RC: When audiences first see Dewey interact musically with the kids is just so great. He brings his instruments in from the van to the classroom, and he shows them how to play the instruments, and they come together as a band for the first time. They are all staring at this man who clearly should not a teacher in an elementary school, and he changes their physicality and demeanor.
They start out being reserved and cautious and inhibited and afraid to let loose, but by the end of the scene, as a group, they've created this sound and this song. Sometimes audiences break out in applause during the song. Every night, that scene is just a joy.
Rob Colletti and Phoenix Schuman in the "School of Rock." Photo by Matthew Murphy.
maz: How is it working with a bunch of kids?
RC: Well, it's funny. Another interviewer told me about that W.C. Fields quote: "Never work with children or animals," and I was so taken aback when she said it. For me, I haven't minded the process at all. Our kids are so talented, and they are all so excited to be a part of the show; they make me bring my A game every night. maz: What's the most difficult part of School of Rock, because I would think it would just be the most fun you could have as an actor.
RC: It's the most difficult role I've ever played. I'm on stage for 2 hours an 30 minutes out of two hours and 40 minutes.. I get very little offstage time. Vocally, it's one of the most demanding roles I've every sang. I had to break down page by page the times and places where I'm allowed to breathe and regain my stamina. It was the most difficult preparation I've had to do. But, I'm grateful every day that I get to play this role.
maz: Do you have any connections to South Florida?
RC: I don't really, but when I was a kid, I played baseball for years and years over a decade, and one year my team went to regional championship, and we were the Florida Marlins, because, you know they name kids' teams after professional teams, so I wore that Florida Marlins baseball cap for about five years as a kid.
“School of Rock – the Musical” runs Dec. 12-24 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave., in Fort Lauderdale. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17; 2 p.m. matinee Saturdays and Wednesday, Dec. 20; and 1 p.m. matinee Sundays. Tickets are $30-$160. Call 954-462-0222 or go to BrowardCenter.org.
