If you’ve been reading my blog for a while now, you may have noticed that I love nothing more than a night out at the theatre. I’ve recently written quite a few reviews of shows I’ve been to see. But, believe me, there are plenty more that I haven’t had the chance to go along to yet, but would absolutely love to!
Today I thought I’d share my Theatre Bucket List with you guys, which is basically made up of the top 10 shows I really want to go and see but haven’t been to before. So, ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats as I talk you through why I’d love to go and see each one. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I’ve enjoyed putting it together.
10. MADAME BUTTERFLY
I’ve always loved Opera music, but I’ve never actually been to see one! I’d like to change that in the near future, and although there are quite a few Opera’s I’d like to go and see, the one that appeals to me the most is Madame Butterfly. I think this is probably because one of my all-time favourite musicals (Miss Saigon), is based on it.
Madame Butterfly tells the heartwrenching story of a beautiful 15-year-old Geisha girl who marries a U.S Naval Officer without realising that he intends to leave her once he finds a proper American wife. He leaves shortly after their wedding, and returns years later with his new wife tow, only to discover he has a child. What happens next is absolutely heartbreaking. And although I’m sure I’d need to take a big box of Kleenex along to the theatre with me, I still really want to go and see this famous Opera.
09. SWAN LAKE
Next up on my theatre bucket list, we have a ballet. I’ve seen a fair few ballets in my time: The Nutcracker, Cinderella, and The Sleeping Beauty to name a few. But the one I’ve always wanted to see is Swan Lake. It features music my Tchaikovsky, which is absolutely beautiful, so it really appeals to me for that reason.
Now, I have to admit that I don’t know much about the story of Swan Lake. But I believe it to be based on a German fairy tale, and is all about a princess who gets turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer’s curse. The only way the curse can be broken is if a man promises to love the princess for all time, and luckily a prince makes that promise. However, the sorcerer finds out and tricks the prince into believing his own daughter is the swan princess, so the curse cannot be broken, and she dies. It sounds super sad, but I’d still love to go and see it anyway. Hopefully it will come to the Theatre Royal in Nottingham sometime soon!
08.FOOTLOOSE
I’ve wanted to see the musical, Footloose, since I was in my teens. And, believe it or not, I’m 32 now! I remember seeing the Kevin Bacon movie of the same name, and thinking how fantastic it would be to see it on stage. And I still feel that way now.
Footloose tells the story of Ren McCormack, a teenage boy from Chicago, who moves to the small town of Bomont with his mother after his father abandons them. Upon arriving, Ren finds himself at odds with most of the town, including the Reverend Bomont. This is because she has convinced the town to outlaw dancing, which Ren finds to be unbelievable. But with the help of her daughter, Ariel, and his best friend, Willard, Ren convinces the Reverend to let the teenagers dance, and in the process helps the town to heal from a tragedy that had affected them all.
Footloose includes some fantastic songs, which everyone will recognise, such as ‘Let’s Hear It For The Boy’, ‘Holding Out For A Hero’, and, of course, ‘Footloose’. One day, I really will make it to the theatre to see this one!
07. SHREK
As a child, Shrek was one of my daughter Stacey’s favourite films. And when I first heard they’d turned it into a musical, I really wanted to pick up tickets and take her to see it in London’s West End. However, a series of unfortunate events unfolded that year, and we ended up not going.
Shrek is now back on the road, and I think it would be a great time to go and see it as Oscar can come along and enjoy it too. Based on the story and characters from the Oscar winning Dreamworks Animation film, Shrek is said to be a hilarious and spectacular production which turns the world of fairy tales upside down in an all-singing, all-dancing, must-see musical comedy. It sounds fantastic!
06. GROUNDHOG DAY
Last year I found out that one of my favourite films from the 90’s, Groundhog Day, had been turned into a musical, and was coming to the West End! I would have loved to have gone and seen it, but due to my crazy-busy work schedule, and then the hassle of getting down to London, it just seemed impossible. Had I known it wasn’t going to be running here in the UK for long, though, I would most definitely have made more of an effort to go and see it.
Groundhog Day tells the story of Phil Connors, a disgruntled big-city weatherman mysteriously stuck in a small town in America reliving the same day over and over and over again. At first Phil finds it extremely irritating, but once he starts getting to know associate TV producer Rita Hanson, he discovers it’s a day of second, third and fourth chances. I imagine the show is a must-see, and when it comes back to the UK in 2018 I most definitely want to go and see it so I can tick it off of my theatre bucket list before it disappears again!
05. CHICAGO
The UK tour of Chicago came to my home town of Nottingham last summer, but I was on holiday at the time so I couldn’t go and see it. I was absolutely gutted as I’ve wanted to see it for the longest time. It’s a true classic though, so I’m sure it will be back on the road soon. Chicago really appeals to me as a musical because if I could go back in time and visit any decade, then it would, without a doubt, be the roaring 20’s. There’s just something about the music and the outfits that I find utterly fascinating. And this is the decade in which the musical is set!
Set in the legendary city during the roaring “jazz hot” 20’s, Chicago tells the story of two rival vaudevillian murderesses locked up in Cook County Jail. Nightclub star, Velma, is serving time for killing her husband and sister after finding the two in bed together. And driven chorus girl Roxie’s been tossed in the joint for bumping off the lover she’s been cheating on her husband with. Not one to rest on her laurels, Velma enlists the help of prison matron Mama Morton and slickster lawyer Billy Flynn, who turn Velma’s incarceration into a murder-of-the-week media frenzy, thus preparing the world for a splashy showbiz comeback. But Roxie’s got some tricks of her own up her sleeve …
04. WICKED
I don’t think it will come as any surprise when I mention the next show on my theatre bucket list, as pretty much everyone I know is wanting to go and see it. And that show, of course, is Wicked! I’ve been wanting to go and see Wicked for a good 9 or 10 years at least, but again, I’ve never managed to get down to London to see it. Sad times!
Wicked tells the incredible untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two young women who first meet as sorcery students at Shiz University: the blonde and very popular Glinda, and a misunderstood green girl named Elphaba. Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Glinda’s unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power, while Elphaba’s determination to remain true to herself, and to those around her, will have unexpected and shocking consequences for her future. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda the Good and The Wicked Witch of the West.
I know lots of people who have seen the show and said it’s fantastic, so it’s no surprise that it’s already found its way to number 17 in the list of longest running shows in London theatre history! My in-laws recently went to see it though, and said they didn’t understand the story. Is it really that difficult to understand? I would think not! If you’ve ever been lucky enough to see Wicked, let me know the answer in the comments section below. I’d be interested to hear whether or not other people had the same problem.
03. BAT OUT OF HELL
Did I ever mention to you guys that I’m a big fan of Meatloaf? I doubt I have, to be honest. But I am. He was the very first artist I went to see live in concert, and I still love listening to his songs today. So, you can only imagine my delight when I tuned into the Britain’s Got Talent results show a few weeks ago and saw that there was a brand new musical opening in the West End called Bat Out Of Hell, which featured a whole host of wonderful Meatloaf songs!
I can’t find much info online about this particular musical, but according to their official website, it tells the story of a young, rebellious leader called Strat, who falls in love with Raven, the beautiful daughter of the most powerful man in post-apocalyptic Obsidian. I can only imagine that it will be a powerful tale of love, rebellion and rock’n’roll. I just hope I can get my hands on tickets before its short run comes to an end. Eek!
02. SCHOOL OF ROCK
Ever since I found out that Andrew Lloyd Webber was bringing his hit musical comedy School of Rock to the UK last year, I’ve been wanting to go and see it. It features a whole host of super-talented kids, and some really catchy songs that you definitely wouldn’t forget in a hurry. (Is it sad that I’ve already listened to the soundtrack on Spotify several times?)
Based on the hit film of the same name, this hilarious new musical follows Dewey Finn, 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. While teaching these pint-sized prodigies what it means to truly rock, Dewey falls for the school’s beautiful, but uptight headmistress, helping her rediscover the wild child within. Featuring 14 new songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber as well as all the original songs from the movie, this high-octane smash is said to deliver face-melting guitar riffs and touching romance in equally awesome doses.
I think both Stacey and Oscar would enjoy this musical, so it’s one we could all go and see together if we ever get the chance to go to London!
01. LEGALLY BLONDE
And finally, the show that has made it to the number one spot on my Theatre Bucket List, and the one that I would most definitely give my right arm to go and see, just has to be Legally Blonde! The film fast became one of my all-time favourites upon its release back in 2001, and I’ve been wanting to see the musical ever since it landed in the West End. However, being a penniless mum of 2 from the East Midlands (OK, maybe not penniless, but you get the gist), I could never afford to get down to the Capital to see it.
There is good news though! The show is currently touring the UK, and I’ve noticed that it’s coming to a couple of theatres near me. So I’m keeping everything crossed that I’ll finally be able to go and see it at some point. My daughter Stacey is desperate to see it too, so I may be able to play a crafty one and treat her to a ticket for her birthday. Omigod, you guys! It would be, like, totally awesome!
In case you’re not familiar with the film or the musical, Legally Blonde follows the story of college sweetheart and homecoming queen Elle Woods, who doesn’t take no for an answer. So when her boyfriend, Warner, dumps her for someone serious, Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and heads for Harvard Law School. I’d say it’s probably aimed at a young audience, but as I was fairly young myself when the film was first released, I still love it today. I’m not so sure what the older generation would make of it though.
And there you have it, the ten shows that made it onto my theatre bucket list. Have you seen any of them? I’m sure I could have added loads more to it, but I didn’t want to bore you to death by waffling on for too long!
Do you have a theatre bucket list?
If so, let me know what shows are on it in the comments below!
Thanks for reading guys.
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I think swan lake must be a good choice to watch as according to you it has well organised music in it as well. so I would like to see it once in my life..
This is an awesome list! I saw Wicked earlier this year and it was absolutely spectacular!!!
I can vouch for Legally Blonde, Shrek, Chicago and Wicked and I have to say out all those Legally Blonde was my favourite! Loved the music and the comedic timing was perfect! Good to know Shrek is back – would like to see that again!
Have been intrigued by Madame Butterfly, if you go let us know what it was like!
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Your list is superb! Yes, yes, yes, Meatloaf would do it for me, I love that guys music. And you have prompted me to watch Legally Blonde. I have never seen the movie and if it’s your number one, then I should probably rectify that!
This is such a great list. I wish I could see theatre more often but it’s hard to do in a small town and a low budget.
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Wicked is one of the best shows! I’ve seen it twice now and want to go again already, definitely recommend! Love everything about it. I’d love to see Shrek the musical one day, heard good things about and seems like it would just be a fun one to see, love the films!
Tiffany x http://www.foodandotherloves.co.uk
I am such a musical lover, and most of these are also on my bucket list. I have seen Swan Lake, it wasn’t my cuppa just because there was no talking in it. I REALLY NEED TO SEE WICKED!!
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This reminds me, it’s been a while since I last watched a musical or a play. I can’t believe there’s a Legally Blonde musical! That’s wicked awesome and it’s something that I’d love to see!
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I love watching musicals because they’re just so entertaining and some will even touch your heart. I think this is a lovely list of shows to watch! I’d love to catch some of them as well.
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I would love to see Footloose. I also want to see Hamilton and The Lion King!
Ashley recently posted…Cars 3 Review: The Best One Yet?
Great list! Not seen any of these though, I have managed to see the lion king in London, and our local theatre has a lot of shows so get to see a lot when they tour
We saw Wicked last summer when we were in New York City and it was amazing!!
Such a good show… if you ever get the chance you really need to go. You won’t regret it!
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The only one I’ve seen is Wicked, so I’ve got quite a list myself. I’m dying to see Hamilton also, but it’s so hard to get tickets. Some day!
I have to admit the only one I have seen on this list is Wicked, I absolutely love the theatre though and just wish I could go more often.
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OMG I didn’t know there was a shrek musical. I’ve seen legally blonde. But I really want to see Wicked, Chicago and Madame Butterfly!
I have not seen any theater productions. i am sure I would be addicted! These all look great!
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Having a theatre bucket list is such a great idea. I definitely will have to start this type of bucket list. I think all of the Harry Potter movies back to back and all of the Star Wars movies back to back would be first and second on the list (in no particular order).
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Chicago is the one I reaallyy wanna see! I also didn’t know there was a musical for Shrek and I find it quite funny haha x
ooh out of that list i would love to see Footloose, Wicked and Legally Blonde! I went to see Jersey Boys with my mum and it was great – im looking forward to going again!
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I am very lucky to have seen alot of these shows…but not seen bat of hell 🙂 x
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Footloose and Ground Hog Day are my two favorites. Wicked would be my daughters choice. Swan Lake I haven’t seen in a long time.
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Amazong list .. now really need to follow madame butterfly
I’ve seen so many musicals but I would have to say that Wicked is my favourite hands down!
Swan Lake is amazing. I’d go see it again tomorrow if I could
I love the theater! I had no idea Legally Blonde was made into a musical! How did I miss that?!? It’s one of my favorite movies ever! I have seen Madame Butterfly and it was phenomenal- such a great experience! Wicked is on my wish list too. There are a couple other on your list I need to check out too. Thanks for the ideas!
Wow. This might be my list, too. I don’t get to the theatre nearly as often as I should.
I love seeing live theatre and miss living in New York, where we always had Broadway down the street. I’ve seen Wicked three times and would happily see it again! One of my all-time favorite shows!
Lois Alter Mark recently posted…pink shell beach resort & marina is a dream wedding setting!
My list would be very similar to yours! I absolutely love theatre and remember going to see Wicked and being absolutely HOOKED
I had a bucket list. I watched shrek and wicked , lion king and a Les Mis. I still want to see Mary Poppins one day and Swan lake.
I have never been a big fan of musicals or theatre, maybe because i never went much to either of them. In any case, I guess we should always try at least once in our lives to try something new and I may think on one of these one day when I get to visit London again or New York. xx
What a great list. Take m with you when you go I love the theater but n one in my family does.
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What a great list! Most of these movies are ones that I haven’t seen. 🙂
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I love theatres too and I saw many of them back in India but haven’t got much time to explore these in Singapore yet. Your post reminds me of what I have been missing for a while
My favorite show of all time is Miss Saigon. It is the only show that has ever made me cry. Most theatrical performances I am sorta watching how they act, who is coming from backstage, sorta like watching how the show is actually being run backstage but Miss Saigon I really got into the emotion of the show. It is awesome.
Love this list! It’s a dream of mine to go to the live theater and see Wicked! Definitely will have to add a few of these to my bucket list.
This is a great list. Swan Lake would be number one on my list. I wish I could go to a theater more often.
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All of these shows are pretty amazing. Shrek I think would be interesting to see on the stage.
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This is one heck of a list! I would agree with each of these choices as being really worthy of seeing. In recent years, I have fallen more into the trap of buying movies rather than seeing theatre shows – but nothing takes the place of some live on stage performances. I do like your number one – again I have the legally blonde movies but actually didn’t know it was also a stage musical. Sames goes for Groundhog Day – I’m trying to imagine that as a musical. Thanks so much for putting this together.
We went to see the Little Mermaid (the Slavic version that ends in death of just about everyone ha!) and it was wonderful. Can’t wait to move to Prague (soon, very soon!) because going to theatre/opera there is just so bloody cheap I’ll be going every other day, hurray! x
I love going to the theatre and I’d really recommend seeing Chicago. It’s such a great show! I recently went to see The Lion King in London and it was incredible. Very worth seeing that one as well.
I have seen so many of these on film but would love to watch at the theatre. Its something I never do, but would love to go. Great post!!
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That’s a great list . Yeah I would love to see the school of Rock . it seem interesting to me.
Legally blonde is fantastic! I would go again any day! I’d love to see Chicago and wicked
Tasha x
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A great list. I’ve seen legally blond. It was very good. Wicked is my favourite musical too x
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I absolutely love going to the theatre, I stiiiiill haven’t seen Wicked yet. I need to go!
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How did I not know Legally Blonde is a musical?! I would loooove to see that!
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I would love to see Swan Lake! I need to see Groundhog Day though! I love Tim Minchin and even went to his show 9 months pregnant in JULY!
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Great list and I would totally like to see every single one of these! How neat is this? I really want to go see Legally blonde the musical, it will remind me of being a teenager and totally in LOVE with that movie.
Loving your theatre bucket list! Such a great idea for a post. I would love to see wicked and school of rock! There are some fantastic picks here.
Jordanne || Thelifeofaglasgowgirl.co.uk
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There’s a lot of shows here that I’d love to see, like Wicked, Legally Blonde, School of Rock and Chicago!
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I would love to see an opera or a ballet. We saw Wicked a couple of years ago and it was fab, my partner Chris has seen it at least 5 times!
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Ooh – I love this list. I made apoint od seeing Wicked for the first time and it was good…but nothing compares to Rent as far as I am concerned…I loved Wicked but it just wasn’t the same. Great story though and definitely a must see. I need to up my theatre game too and there are some here I haven’t even heard of x
Loving the shows here. I would love to watch Wicked.
Its an interesting list !! i fall in love with SWAN LAKE belley !! I hope i can attend this as well soon !!
I’ve seen Wicked and Beauty and the Beast. Wicked I saw with my mom and we LOVED it! It was AMAZING!!!!! You will love it.
I loved the movie Legally Blonde when it came out. I’ve probably watched it 20 times. I wonder how it would play out in a theatre. I’d definitely want to see it.
This is a great list!! I would just love watching all of them. I am a huge fan of theatre. I find it far superior than movies.
I am DYING to see Swan Lake too. (And several of the musicals you have listed as well… but especially Swan Lake, as we go to the ballet a lot!)
Caitlin • Blonde Seeking Ambition
My three boys love Shrek so much and it would be great for us to watch it on stage! I also love Wicked and Legally Blonde!
What an awesome list! I’ve always wanted to see Madame Butterfly, even though opera isn’t normally my thing. It’s one of the classics. After that would be Groundhog Day. It’s always one of my husband’s favorites and in fact, we were married on February 2nd (Groundhog Day in the U.S.)
You have a great bucket list! I really want to see Chicago and Wicked. Those are two that I haven’t been able to see yet. I just saw Hamilton a couple of weeks ago and was just awe-stricken. I love the theater when I get to go!
All of these would be on my bucket list too – I’ve only managed to see a couple of them!
I am with you on Shrek, Groundhog day and Wicked. A few of the others I have mild interest in but I could live with or without them.
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I would love to see Hamilton and Wicked. I don’t really have a list beyond that although after watching some of the Tonys I might need to look into some more shows or plays.
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I’ve seen School Of Rock and it wasn’t that good to be honest. My friends who went with me and had seen the film so they understood what was going on a little more than I did but the show didn’t have a clear storyline.
Seeing Sheridan Smith in theatre is on my bucket list. I saw Funny Girl but it was during her break. Also I’d love to see The Kite Runner.
V
You have a few there i would love to see too. I saw Wicked a little while back it was really good!
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Mine would be pretty much the same. I would love to see any of these in the theatre. I’ve never seen anything live and would love to!
My theater bucket list is very long too. I haven’t been to a show in a while.
I didn’t realise a few of these were musicals, I would love to see Bat Out of Hell and Legally Blonde. You must see Swan Lake, it’s my favourite ballet! The music and dances are just so beautiful.
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Your bucket list is great.
Swan lake seems to be a nice one.
I don’t have a theatre bucket list.
This is a great list. I didn’t know groundhogs day was a musical! Wicked and Chicago are two of my favorites and legally blonde was way better than I thought it would be.
I’d love to watch Swan Lake and my kids would love to watch Shrek! Our little family loves movie dates..
I haven’t seen any of these plays but I have always wanted to go. I don’t know which one that would be at the top of my list because there are so many great choices.
I super love the Swan Lake and the Chicago – be it in movie or in a play. Many times I watched different artists did Swan Lake and the play is still as stunning as the first time I was able to watch it. I love Chicago the movie, Catherine Zeta Jones did excellent in the movie.
This list is so epic! I would love to be able to see Footloose along with all of these others.
what a great selection! looks like you will be very busy:D
Great list. Not a bad one in the bunch. I’d especially love to see Footloose.
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What a great selection of movies and these are all sounds like a good movies I love a musical kind of movie
You have an impressive list there. All great shoes and worth seeing. Some I have seen and others I might skip.
Oh, these are all great musicals! I would love to see Swan Lake, Foot Loose, School of Rock and of course, Legally Blonde. Haven’t seen a theater play in a long time!
I would definitely reccomend Shrek and Wicked they are fun shows. Might I reccomend the amazing Lion King and the Book of Mormon? x
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What an awesome list and this is so perfect I love the kind of musical movies. Glad that you share this
Such a good list. I’ve seen Shrek, Wicked and Chicago and when I was in New York last summer I saw School of Rock but I can’t wait to see it again. I’m seeing Aladdin next week and I can’t wait x
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All great shows! I saw Wicked the last time we were in London and it was out of this world fantastic! My favourite show ever!
I have already watched Shrek The Musical and it was fantastic. I hope you’ll be able to watch it soon. The Wicked played in the Philippines last year but I wasn’t able to watch it due to my compact schedule. I heard that it was also great.
I haven’t been to a musical for a while now. Really need to go soon.
What a great bucket list! I have only seen School of Rocks, Shrek and Legally Blonde The Musical and my favorite is School of Rocks!