BETHEL - Despite a grueling week of technical rehearsals and run-throughs, by late Wednesday night with just 48 hours until opening, the cast of NewArts first of two summer musicals - a youth version of School of Rock - remained focused and highly energized.School of Rock runs this weekend with a Friday, August 5, premier at 7 pm, in the theater at Bethel's Walnut Hill Community Church, 156 Walnut Hill Road. Follow-up performances are set for 2 and 7 pm on Saturday, and 3 pm on Sunday. The local troupe, which has previously staged its shows at Newtown High School, was relocated for the 2016 season because of ongoing renovations at the school auditorium.The Newtown Bee was invited to preview this week, Shawn appeared to not only keep the hardworking cast on their toes, but also helped Mr Unger, the show's choreographers, technicians, and musical directors by dialing down the energy when it was time to fine tune sound, lighting, and set details, as actors froze in place, occasionally for periods of a few minutes or more.The Wizard of Oz with a split cast, also at Walnut Hill Church.A Christmas Carol, December 10-23, with audition plans being scheduled now.For tickets to both musicals and other information on how to support NewArts, visit newarts.org.

The show features dozens of young local performers led by Director Michael Unger, with the electrifying Shawn Allen as Dewey Finn, capturing all the nuances that made actor Jack Black ideal for the movie role, playing a rock star wannabe masquerading as a substitute teacher in a highly regimented private school.

During a few scenes that

For those who missed the feature film starring Jack Black, which inspired the multiple Tony Award-winning musical, the story revolves around good-hearted roustabout Dewey who decides to earn a few extra bucks by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school.

Completely disinterested in academic work, Dewey decides to create his own curriculum, turning his class into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band.   The stage musical on Broadway is produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber, who has composed 14 new songs to create a score, which also features all of the original songs from the movie.

The NewArts production, like its Broadway counterpart, features a sensational live kids' rock band, and as Mr Unger has stated, delivers a loving testimony to the transforming power of music.

The following weekend, NewArts is presenting

The "Tornado" cast group performances are Thursday and Saturday, August 11 and 13, at 7 pm, and Sunday, August 14, at 2:30 pm; and the "Twister" cast performances are Friday, August 12, at 7 pm, Saturday, August 13, at 2 pm, and Sunday, August 14, at 7:30 pm.

NewArts is also planning a holiday season run of the classic

NewArts was formerly the production wing of the former 12.14 Foundation. Established by Newtown physician Dr Michael Baroody and Mr Unger, the organization continues to maintain its goal of building and operating a landmark performing arts center in Newtown. That planned facility is intended to serve the dual purpose of memorializing and honoring those lost on December 14, 2012, and providing a venue that supports many forms of healing and positive change.

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