Andrew Lloyd Webber to Premiere SCHOOL OF ROCK Musical on Broadway Before West End?

In an interview with the Telegraph, Andrew Lloyd Webber says there's a "strong possibility" that his next musical, School of Rock (baased on the 2003 film), will premiere on Broadway instead of the West End due to more relaxed laws on child performers in the United States. The West End requires the hiring of 3-4 child actors for one role, which makes casting difficult.

It would be the first time in more than 40 years that Lloyd Webber would premiere a show on Broadway.

Lloyd Webber says, "It's much easier to cast children in New York than it is here... You don't have to do all this triple casting, you can cast them as if they're adults and then you can have them for a six-month or a year contract if you want to, without these endless changes..."

He also also commented on the closing of his last musical, Stephen Ward, after a short four-month run, saying, "The truth is that at the moment the public is going for feelgood shows."

STEPHEN WARD received its world premiere in December last year with a cast led by Alexander Hanson in the title role,Charlotte Spencer as Christine Keeler and Charlotte Blackledge as Mandy Rice Davies. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Ward has book and lyrics by playwright Christopher Hampton and lyricist Don Black. The production is directed by Richard Eyre with set and costume designs by Rob Howell, lighting design by Peter Mumford, sound design by Paul Groothuis, projection design by Jon Driscoll, and choreography by Stephen Mear.

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School of Rock is a 2003 American musical comedy film directed by Richard Linklater, written by Mike White, and starring Jack Black. The main plot follows starving rock singer and guitarist, Dewey Finn (portrayed by Black), who is kicked out of his band No Vacancy and subsequently disguises himself as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. After witnessing the musical talent in his students, Dewey forms a band of fifth-graders to attempt to win the upcoming Battle of the Bands and pay off his rent. The picture's supporting cast features Joan Cusack and Sarah Silverman.