Andrew Lloyd Webber to Bring SCHOOL OF ROCK to London Following Broadway Run

Speaking to the New York Post's Cindy Adams, Tony Award winning composer Andrew Lloyd Webber revealed that following the upcoming Broadway opening of his new musical School of Rock, the show will cross the Atlantic for a London run.

"It's my first ever testing a new show in New York," commented Lloyd Webber about the recent staged concert workshop of the show, held at New York's Gramercy Theater. "You couldn't open this in London, as I've always done, because we haven't kids in music school like the US. Twenty-two hundred auditioned. And in the small workshop Gramercy theater, we've changed things quickly four times. You can't do it that fast in London."

He went on to explain, "Also, everything's together here. Not spread out. Once, suddenly deciding to add a performance, we just sent word on the Internet - and were full! You can't do that anywhere else. We'll play London after New York."

Commenting on the cast of the Broadway adaptation of the hit film the composer shares, "I've written 12 new songs and, of course, we're going to be tightening. Our lead actor stays, but some performers may change because they might think their parts aren't large enough for them."

The Olivier winner also gushed about returning to the Winter Garden Theater, home of one of his most successful shows CATS. "I was thrilled to get the Winter Garden," he says. "Did you know in the old days that venue was where they showed and sold horses? I love the Winter Garden."

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Click here to see photos from the School of Rock workshop held at the Gramercy Theater

Previews for School of Rock are set to begin Monday, November 9, 2015 at the Winter Garden Theatre, with an opening night set for Sunday, December 6, 2015. As BWW recently reported, Sierra Boggess will portray principal Rosalie Mullins, while Alex Brightman, who recently starred in the Gramercy theater workshop, will remain in the lead role of Dewey Finn.

Based on the Paramount movie written by Mike White, School of Rock has a book by Julian Fellowes, lyrics by Glenn Slater, and new music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. School of Rock -The Musical will be directed by Laurence Connor (currently represented on Broadway by Les Miserables) -- he also helmed the Gramercy concerts.

The Gramercy event featured choreography by Joann M. Hunter, scenic and costume design by Anna Louizos, lighting design by Jen Schriever (Tony winner Natasha Katz will design for Broadway), sound design by Mick Potter, and conductor/music supervisor Ethan Popp.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos