Becky Gulsvig debuts as Patty in School of Rock tonight

Broadway alum Becky Gulsvig officially takes over the role of Patty from Mamie Parris in the Tony-nominated production of School of Rock - The Musical at Broadway's Winter Garden Theatre tonight.

Ms. Parris played her final performance on 9 October 2016 and will go on to star in another Lloyd Webber musical - Cats - as Grizabella, beginning performances on 17 October 2016 at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre.

Becky Gulsvig has previously appeared on the Great White Way in 'Hairspray,' and in the Broadway and National tour productions of 'Legally Blonde.' She also recently starred as Cynthia Weil in the National Tour of 'Beautiful - The Carole King Musical.'

The principal cast currently features Tony nominee Alex Brightman (Dewey Finn), Jenn Gambatese (Rosalie Mullins), Spencer Moses (Ned), Becky Gulsvig (Patty), Evie Dolan (Katie), Carly Gendell (Marcy), Ethan Khusidman (Mason), Bobbie MacKenzie (Tomika), Dante Melucci (Freddy), Brandon Niederauer (Zack), Luca Padovan (Billy), Jared Parker (Lawrence), and Isabella Russo (Summer).

School of Rock - The Musical officially opened to positive reviews at Broadway's Winter Garden Theatre on 6 December 2015, following previews from 9 November, and it is currently booking through to 28 May 2017.

Based on the 2003 film of the same name and directed by Laurence Connor, School of Rock - The Musical features songs from the film as well as new music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater and a book by Julian Fellowes.

Synopsis: "In School of Rock - The Musical, down-on-his-luck wannabe rock star Dewey Finn poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school to make ends meet. When he discovers his students' musical talents, he enlists his fifth-graders to form a rock group and conquer the Battle of the Bands."

The production features choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter, scenic and costume design by Anna Louizos, lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by Mick Potter, and music supervision by Ethan Popp. It is produced on Broadway by Andrew Lloyd Webber for The Really Useful Group, Warner Music Group & Access Industries, The Shubert Organization, and The Nederlander Organization.

A West End production is scheduled to open at the New London Theatre on 14 November 2016, following previews from 24 October.

- by Tom Millward