Dr. Phillips Center Florida Hospital School of the Arts Student Makes Broadway Debut in SCHOOL OF ROCK Tonight

Diego Lucano, an active, scholarship-winning student of the Dr. Phillips Center Florida Hospital School of the Arts, will make his Broadway debut tonight, Friday, February 5, 2016 in the new hit Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, School of Rock at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City.

Lucano, 11, recently relocated with his family to New York City to begin rehearsals for the musical that officially opened on Broadway on December 6. Not one year prior, he was deeply immersed in local Orlando arts and culture, exploring his music, dance and performance abilities through training at the Dr. Phillips Center Arts Education Program and the Orlando Ballet School. Focused on musical theatre specifically, he was enrolled in classes and camps at the Dr. Phillips Center Florida Hospital School of the Arts, including "Take it from the Top," an intensive designed and instructed by Broadway professionals for students to explore their craft while networking with members of the industry. He is a three-time recipient of the Arts For Every Life Education Scholarship provided by the Dr. Phillip's Center, which is a grant given to students in arts education.

In a note to the School of the Arts and the donors who made the program possible, Lucano cited the safety of the environment provided by the school. "Thank you for having faith in me. It's been a fun journey with the Dr. Phillips Center, discovering my talents and where I fit in the world. Thank you for letting me know I'm not alone."

"We are so happy Diego had the opportunity to work with great professionals and talented arts educators at our newly opened performing arts school," said Kathy Ramsberger, president and CEO of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

"Diego is one of the hardest-working students I've had the pleasure of meeting," added Dana Brazil, director of education at the Dr. Phillips Center. "We are so proud of everything he has achieved and all that lies ahead. He is living a dream, and we are honored to have played a part in helping him to achieve that dream."

Featuring an original score by Andrew Lloyd Webber (The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Evita) and Glenn Slater and based on the popular 2003 Paramount Pictures film of the same name, School of Rock "follows Dewey Finn (played by Alex Brightman in a role originated by Jack Black in the film), a failed-wannabe rock star who decides to earn a few extra bucks by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There, he turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band." Lucano plays one of those students, Laurence, who specializes in keyboard.

For tickets, visit schoolofrockthemusical.com, or call (800) 447-7400, or visit the box office of the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City.

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