Performances November 17 – December 30, 2023

Milwaukee, Wis. (October 11, 2023) — Skylight Music Theatre announced the cast and creative team for School of Rock. This is the second production of the 2023-2024 season with choreography by Tori Watson, music direction by David Bonofiglio, and direction by Skylight Music Theatre’s Artistic Director Michael Unger.

Performances take place November 17 – December 30 in the beautiful Cabot Theatre at the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway, in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward. Skylight is Milwaukee’s professional Equity music theatre company.

Rock Out with the Whole Family for the Holidays

Based on the smash hit 2003 film of the same title, School of Rock features music from the movie, as well as new music written by Andrew Lloyd Webber (Phantom of the Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats) with lyrics by Glenn Slater (The Little Mermaid, Tangled, Sister Act)and book by Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey, Gosford Park). School of Rock opened on Broadway in 2015 and received Tony Award nominations in 2016 for Best Musical, Score, and Book. The story follows Dewey Finn, a failed rockstar who becomes a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. When he discovers his students have hidden musical talents, he enlists them to form a rock band.

School of Rock will star Joey Sanzaro as Dewey Finn, Stephanie Staszak as Rosalie Mullins, Jake Horstmeier as Ned Schneebly, and Jackey Boelkow as Patty Di Marco. The cast also features a kids’ rock band comprised of sixteen talented local youth performers, four of whom play a variety of rock instruments live on stage.

“Our show will feature a cast of incredibly talented local youth,” said Unger, who will direct this production. “The incorporation of kids playing instruments live on stage, alongside a marvelous story, makes this the perfect show for rockers of all ages. In these very difficult times, it is important to keep music and the arts at the heart of our education system. This production is a joyful testament to the transformative power of music.”

The School of Rock in Shorewood is providing the instruments and amplifiers that will be played live during the performances. Hit songs like “You’re in the Band,” “Stick it to the Man,” and “Teacher’s Pet” will electrify the Cabot Theatre as these youngsters, and their slacker-turned-inspirational teacher Dewey, learn they have a lot more to offer than they might have first thought.

School of Rock's Presenting Sponsor is BAIRD Private Asset Management, and the Associate Sponsor is We Energies Foundation. The show is recommended for ages eight years and up.

School of Rock

Nov. 17 – Dec. 30, 2023

Based on the Paramount movie byMike White

Book by Julian Fellowes

Lyrics by Glenn Slater

New Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Choreographed by Tori Watson

Music Direction by David Bonofiglio

Directed by Skylight Music Theatre’s Artistic Director Michael Unger

‘School of Rock’ Creative Team

Director………………………………………………………..….…………………… Michael Unger

Choreographer………………………………………………………………………… Tori Watson

Music Director………………….……………………………………….……… David Bonofiglio

Scenic Designer…..….….………..……………………….………….…………. Lindsay Fuori

Lighting Designer…………….…..………………………….……………………..… Zach Pizza

Costume Designer….………………………………………………………… Patricia Hibbert

Sound Designer……………..………….………….…………..…………………… Steve Tonar

Production Stage Manager ….…….…………………….….……… John W. Calder III*

Resident Assistant Stage Manager……………….……….…. Jordan Ilysa Angelo

Assistant Stage Manager ………….………..…………….…. Samantha Peckelnicky

‘School of Rock’ Cast

Dewey Finn……………………………………….……………………..….………Joey Sanzaro*

Rosalie Mullins..…………………………………………………..….……Stephanie Staszak

Ned Schneebly…………………………………………………………….… Jake Horstmeier

Patty Di Marco……………………………………..………………….……… Jackey Boelkow

Summer…..………………………………….……………………………….…….…… Emilia Kosek

Tomika…………………..………………..…………………..……………………… Kyla Andreson

Zack………………………………….…..……….……………….….……………..… Elias Totleben

Freddie………………………………..………………………………………….. Azure Schroeder

Katie.…………………………………….…………………………….……… Annalise Nordstrom

Lauren………………………….………..………………………………….….……… Malia Brunner

Marcy.……………………………………………………….…..……………….… Emily Honigman

Billy…………………………………………………..………………….……………. Joseph Maxwell

Sophie.…………………………………………….……..…………………………… Bristol Beasley

Mason………………………………………….….….……………..…………………… Meryl Lueder

James.……………………………………….…….….…………….……………… Jeremiah Cooper

Madison…………………………………….…….….……………………………… Ellory Woodford

Shonelle.…………………….……………………….………..……………………… Natalie Ortega

Ms. Scheinkopf.…………………………………..………….……….…………………. Liz Norton*

Student Ensemble

Kaylee Anderson, Mac Heinrich, Jillian Vogedes

Ensemble

SaraLynn Evenson, Ciara Hart, Shawn Holmes, Nathan Danzer, Chad Larget

*Appearing through an agreement between Skylight Music Theatre and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers

in the United States.

BIOGRAPHIES

Kaylee Anderson (Student Ensemble/ Tomika Understudy) is a 9th grader at Seventh Day Adventist School. She is an artist and vocalist. She enjoys playing games, cooking in her spare time, and spending time with her friends and family. She has performed at 8th-grade graduation at church and other occasional events.

Kyla Anderson (Tomika) is a 9th grader at Milwaukee Seventh-day Adventist. She loves to sing and try out new things. She loves to make jewelry, spend time with friends and family, binge-watch shows, and get to know people. She has performed at church and at her 8th grade graduation and other occasional events.

Bristol Beasley (Sophie) is ecstatic to be performing at Skylight Music Theatre for her second time!  She was previously part of the Holiday Cast in A Jolly Holiday at Skylight. She has performed in Moana Jr. with Shallece Saleen Studio – Fine Arts Academy, Matilda Jr. and The Lion King Jr. at Muskego Lakes Middle School. Bristol loves acting, singing, dancing, and horseback riding. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Jackey Boelkow (Patty Di Marco) Select credits include Alison in Beehive and Offstage Swing in Titanic at Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Ensemble/Romani Cultural Consultant in Dennis DeYoung’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Molly/Dolores/Vicki u/s in The Full Monty at Skylight Music Theatre, Adriana in The Comedy of Errors and Margaret in The Death of Kings: Seize The Crown at Prague Shakespeare Company, Bossanova in Elixir at The Encore Musical Theatre Company, Principal and Swing for Kohl's Wild Theater, and Chris in Carrie at Outskirts Theatre Co. @JackeyBoelkow www.JackeyBoelkow.com

Malia Brunner (Lauren, Keyboard) is making her debut performance at the Skylight Theater. Malia studies piano with the Hoffman Academy and receives vocal coaching from Jessica Hoffman.  Malia enjoys mixing classical with pop on the keyboard and is currently working on a compilation of her grandpa’s 1960s favorites. When not on stage, Malia can be found competing in gymnastics and downhill skiing.  She likes hanging out with friends, watching Dancing with the Stars, and celebrating the Christmas season.  

Jeremiah Cooper (James) is so excited to do this show. He has been in 𝘚𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦 M𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 J𝘳. at Whitnall Middle School. This will be his second show and he wants to make it a great one.