Legendary musical theater composer Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber has previously drawn inspiration from everything from the Bible to poems about cats. But now the king of overblown stage shows has found a more modern muse: Richard Linklater’s 2003 comedy, School Of Rock. According to Deadline, Webber—who first purchased the theatrical rights to the film back in 2013—plans to open School Of Rock: The Musical on Broadway next December.
It’s a rather odd mix of source material and adapter. School Of Rock is a charming, small-scale film about Jack Black inspiring some kids with the power of music. Webber is a composer best known for bombastic melodramas like Cats and The Phantom Of The Opera. However, Webber also knows his way around a rock musical, having contributed Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, and Starlight Express to the musical canon.
Webber won’t be working alone. Lyricist Glenn Slater (Tangled) will help pen the musical’s new songs, which will supplement the film’s classic rock score. Meanwhile Downton Abbey’s Julian Fellowes—another man known for his love of melodrama—will write the book. There’s no casting news yet, but child actors and performers who have long billed themselves as the “Jack Black of musical theater” should ready their resumes.