London's Not in the Band Just Yet: School of Rock Pushes Back West End Premiere

London will have to wait a little while longer to stick it to the man. School of Rock has pushed back its West End premiere; the show now aims to headbang across the pond in spring 2017. It was initially reported that the new Andrew Lloyd Webber musical was to begin at the London Palladium this fall.

"This is a big fishing expedition," Lloyd Webber said in a statement regarding the casting process. "We need brilliantly talented children who can act, sing and play rock instruments...Our show depends on it. If we do [find them], we will open in the West End in spring 2017. So kids, get the metal out, strut the stuff and help us stick it to the man!"

The tuner, directed by Laurence Connor, features music from the hit 2003 movie, as well as new music written by Lloyd Webber and lyricist Glenn Slater, with a book by Downton Abbey’s Julian Fellowes. The film was penned by Mike White, directed by Richard Linklater and starred Jack Black as wannabe rock star Dewey Finn, who poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. When he discovers his students’ musical talents, he enlists his fifth-graders to form a rock group and conquer the Battle of the Bands.

The Broadway production opened in December 2015 and currently stars Alex Brightman and Sierra Boggess. In addition to the upcoming London bow, a U.S. tour is in the works and aiming for a fall 2017 launch.