By Heidi Songer
In the 2003 movie, School of Rock, Jack Black brought us Dewey Finn, the wannabe rock star turned substitute teacher. This popular film then became a Broadway hit thanks to the music of the acclaimed Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Now Chaska Valley Family Theatre (CVFT) is presenting this show to local audiences.
“One of the things that makes CVFT really unique is the family involvement,” said Producer Jennifer Martin. “We have moms and dads and kids acting together, grandma on stage, dad in the pit, kids working tech. There’s so many different ways that families can participate with us.”
School of Rock is the first CVFT show for Dan Tengwall of Chaska and his daughter Gemma.
“She told me that she wouldn’t try out unless I tried out,” Dan said. “That made me excited to do it.”
They’ve both had a great experience being in School of Rock together.
“I like how I can see him cringe-out and I think it’s a really good bonding time,” Gemma said. “There is a lot of energy and I love everybody who’s in it.”
One significant feature of this show is the presence of an on-stage student band. The local production features Brielle Christensen on guitar, AJ Songer on bass guitar, Liam Pautz on keys, and Charlie Nissen on drums.
“We know the district has such a great Garage Band program that we really wanted to be able to highlight that and feature kids from the district doing what they love,“ Martin explained. “School of Rock was absolutely a choice that made a lot of sense.”
School of Rock: The Musical opened this Thursday, June 18, at the Chaska High School auditorium (545 Pioneer Trail). Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at https://www.cvft.org/schoolofrock2026.
Upcoming showtimes for School of Rock: The Musical are as follows:
- Friday June 26, 7 p.m.
- Saturday, June 27, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- Sunday, June 28, 2 p.m.
