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Raleigh native returns in 'School of Rock' at DPAC

Patrick Clanton remembers renting the comedy "School of Rock" from Blockbuster when he was in middle school in Raleigh.

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School of Rock
By
Kathy Hanrahan
DURHAM, N.C. — Patrick Clanton remembers renting the comedy "School of Rock" from Blockbuster when he was in middle school in Raleigh.

"It's such a wonderful uplifting story," Clanton said.

Now, Clanton is part of the School of Rock musical at Durham Performing Arts Center next week. The production, like the film, follows Dewey Finn, an aspiring guitarist who ends up as a substitute teacher at a prep school. Finn turns his young students into a rock band.
Gilberto Moretti-Hamilton and Patrick Clanton in the School of Rock Tour. (Matthew Murphy)

"They did a great job adapting it for the stage," Clanton said.

The cast is lead by Second City alum Rob Colletti, who has the challenge of embodying the role made famous by Jack Black.

"I think everybody who has ever seen the movie remembers Jack Black's performance and how funny he is. Our Dewey makes the role his own, " Clanton said. "You forget Jack Black after awhile. He puts his own stamp on the role. Durham audiences are going to eat him up."

Rob Colletti and Phoenix Schuman in the School of Rock Tour. (Matthew Murphy)

While Dewey might be their leader, the children steal the show. Ranging in age from 9 to 13 years old, the actors dance, sing and play their own instruments on stage.

"These kids are mind-blowing," Clanton said. "I have no trouble saying they are the reason to come and see the show."

Clanton started to get into acting at the age of 9 after taking his first theater class.

"I have the Wake County Public School System and all of our local theaters to thank for giving me my love of the arts," Clanton said.

In fourth grade, Clanton was the lead in his first production. After years of wanting him to play sports, Clanton's parents were able to see him in a new light.

"That's when my parents realized that there might be something there," Clanton said. "That's when they started looking into community theaters."

Roles soon followed at Raleigh Little Theater and Theatre in the Park. Clanton's first musical was Theatre in the Park's "A Christmas Carol" in 2002.

Clanton graduated from Elon and soon hit the road on the second national tour of "Sister Act."

The 25-year-old almost didn't audition for "School of Rock" because he thought he was too young to play someone's parent or teacher. He went anyway and landed a spot in the ensemble, playing three roles - Gabe Brown, a science teacher suspicious of Dewey; Jeff Sanderson, the director of the Battle of the Bands competition the students are trying to enter; and Mr. Hamilton, the father of the band's drummer, Freddy.

"What is really great is that you get to jump in and out of these roles, exploring other facets of each character. Every night, it feels a little bit different," Clanton said.

Clanton said he is looking forward to indulging in some of his favorite North Carolina comfort food when he comes to town. He said he plans to introduce the cast to Bojangles and Cook Out. "You never realize how much you miss something until its gone," he said.

School of Rock will be on stage Nov. 28 through Dec. 3 at DPAC. Tickets are still available.

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