Photo Flash: The New Class at SCHOOL OF ROCK Takes First Bows!

Andrew Lloyd Webber's smash hit musical School of Rock - The Musical is entering its second smashing year on Broadway with a new class of cast members. Comedic actor Eric Petersen just assumed the role of wannabe rock star, Dewey Finn, last night, November 7, 2016. The Kid Band, who perform Andrew Lloyd Webber's score live at every performance, now includes new cast members Rachel Katzke as Katie the bass player and Walden Sullivan as Lawrence the keyboardist, along with returning cast members, Brandon Niederauer as Zack the guitarist and Raghav Mehrotra as Freddy on drums. Additionally, Olivia Chun assumes the role of super serious band manager Summer, Steven Booth assumes the role of Ned, Annabelle Wachtel plays Marcy, Terrance Bell, Jr. plays Mason, Chloe Bryanwill plays Madison, and Ellie Kim joins the cast as a swing.

Eric Petersen has been seen on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and in national tours, most notably as Shrek in Shrek: The Musical, Peter and the Starcatcher, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. On television, Petersen played Arlo Barth on TVLand's "Kristie," and has been seen on Disney Channel's "Jessie," "Pair of Kings" and "Kirby Buckets."

The new class of School of Rock - The Musical also features Will Blum as the Dewey alternate, Jenn Gambatese as Rosalie Mullins, Becky Gulsvig as Patty, Bobbi MacKenzie as Tomika, and Luca Padovan as Billy. The adult ensemble includes Emily Cramer, Natalie Charle Ellis, John Arthur Greene, Merritt David Janes, Nehal Joshi, Lulu Lloyd, Jaygee Macapugay, Cassie Okenka, Patrick O'Neill, Morgan Rose, Jesse Swimm, Josh Tower, Joel Waggoner and J. Michael Zygo. The kid's ensemble features Paul Luke Bonenfant, Ava Della Pietra, Gabby Gutierrez, Gianna Harris, Jason Kisare, and Jersey Sullivan.

Currently in performances at the Winter Garden Theatre (1634 Broadway), School of Rock - The Musical is based on the smash hit 2003 film of the same, featuring music from the movie, as well as an original score byAndrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater, a book by Julian Fellowes and direction by Laurence Connor. School of Rock - The Musical opened to rave reviews on Sunday, December 6, 2015. School of Rock - The Musical was nominated for four 2016 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score (Lloyd Webber and Slater), Best Book (Fellowes), and Best Leading Actor in a Musical (Alex Brightman).

Photo Credit Bruce Glikas/Getty Images

Steven Booth

Eric Petersen

Eric Peterson

Eric Petersen and Steven Booth

Eric Petersen and Steven Booth

Steven Booth

Eric Petersen as "Dewey" and the kids of the band

Eric Peterson