ROCKING OUT: Members of the cast of “School of Rock” are ready for shows July 12-21 at the Kelsey Theatre in West Windsor.

Can a wannabe rock star posing as a substitute teacher transform nerdy fifth graders at an elite prep school into contenders at the Battle of the Bands? The answer will be revealed when Thank You 5 Productions brings School of Rock to the stage of Mercer County Community College’s (MCCC) Kelsey Theatre, July 12-21.

Dewey Finn never quite made it as a rock star, but also never gave up on his rock and roll dreams. So when he manages to impersonate a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school — and becomes enamored with the musical talent of his students — Finn goes to work transforming a class of straight-A fifth graders into a guitar shredding, bass slapping, rock band to compete in the Battle of the Bands. But can he and his students keep this special assignment secret from parents and the school’s headmistress as they learn to fully embrace the power of rock?

School of Rock is based on the 2003 Jack Black film, which later opened on Broadway in 2015 with a score by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The production closed in 2019 after 1,309 performances, having received four Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. Young members of the cast come from West Windsor, Pennington, Lawrence Township, Yardley, Pa., and other local areas.

Dates and showtimes are Friday, July 12 and Saturday, July 13 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, July 20 at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, July 14 and 21 at 2 p.m. at the Kelsey Theatre on MCCC’s West Windsor Campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. Tickets are $26 for adults and $24 for seniors, children, and students. Visit kelseytheatre.org.