Quitting the band is never easy.
Which may be why wannabe rocker Dewey Finn – the central character in “School of Rock: The Musical,” which plays the Boston Opera House for two weeks beginning Feb. 12 – gets himself kicked out instead.
After the guitarist for No Vacancy repeatedly upstages the band’s front man – played by Waltham native JP Qualters – his bandmates decide to show him the door.
With his dreams of being a rock star abruptly dashed, Dewey goes from performer to substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. The latter job may have been intended for someone else, but when Dewey recognizes musical talent in his students, a rock band of fifth-graders is born.
Based on the 2003 feature-film comedy of the same name, “School of Rock: The Musical” was adapted for the stage as a rock musical with an original score by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater, and book by Julian Fellowes.
The Tony Award-nominated musical premiered at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre on Dec. 6, 2015, and concluded its New York run last month. In addition to productions in London, Australia and China, the show is also currently on a U.S. tour.
A 2007 graduate of Waltham High School, Qualters earned his BFA in music theatre from the Hartt School at the University of Hartford in 2011.
By telephone recently from Washington, D.C., the 29-year-old talked about his current role and more.
Q: Tell me about your character in “School of Rock”?
A: I play Theo, the lead singer of No Vacancy. I kick Dewey out of the band at the top of the show. I would have to say that Theo is not a nice guy. He’s very much stuck in his old ways, always wanting to sing “I’m Too Hot for You,” the band’s only hit.
Q: Theo doesn’t sound like a sympathetic character, but are you having fun playing him?
A: Absolutely. I get to open the show. I enjoy singing “I’m Too Hot For You,” because the lyrics are hysterical. And I get to interact with the audience, which I love to do.
Q: Do you have any prior experience with rock music?
A: Growing up, I really never sang rock ’n' roll. It wasn’t till college that I learned I could sing that style, and I also learned to have a passion for it. And I have Led Zeppelin in my book, so I was as prepared as I could be when I auditioned for this show.
Q: Were you familiar with “School of Rock” before you landed the tour?
A: Yes, I’ve seen the film maybe eight times and I saw the musical on Broadway. I like them both very much. I always try to just enjoy a show, but, at the same time, I often find myself thinking, “I could be in this show.” That’s how it was when I saw “School of Rock: The Musical” in New York, and now here I am.
Q: What’s it like sharing the stage with so many young performers?
A: The kids in our cast are all between 9 and 12 years old, and insanely talented. They are also so well-rounded it’s remarkable. They all sing, dance and play instruments. And they’re much further along in their careers than I was at that age. Back then, I was still figuring out what I loved more – singing and dancing, or playing soccer and running track.
Q: Your first experience on the road was in the first national tour of “Kinky Boots,” which played the Boston Opera House in August 2015. Does this tour feel different from that one?
A: Definitely. Everything’s going more smoothly because I’ve done it all before. This time around, I know how to book a hotel, get my airline points, and what to pack, so I don’t bring everything in my closet with me.
Q: You’ve done “Annie,” “Hello, Dolly!” and “My Fair Lady” at the North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, and, early on, you did several shows at Reagle Music Theatre in your hometown. How did those experiences prepare you for today?
A: I was very lucky to grow up in Waltham. Waltham’s music and dance departments were very strong and having Reagle was the extra step I needed to be well rounded. I was lucky to do at least 10 shows there, including “Carousel,” “Crazy for You,” “42nd Street,” and “Singin’ in the Rain.”
Being able to work with some amazing directors and choreographers like Eileen Grace, Kirby Ward, and Gemze de Lappe really helped me learn a lot, not only about original choreography but also about hard work and the drive you need to make it in New York City. I made great connections at Reagle, too.
Q: Any Waltham-centric plans when you’re in town?
A: I’ll be staying with my parents in Waltham, so I’ll probably catch up with a lot of friends and family. About 28 people from Waltham are coming to see the show on the first Saturday matinee. Some of them have seen me play a drag queen in “Kinky Boots” and now they’ll get to see me as a long-haired rocker. I’m always super excited to have friends in the audience.
“School of Rock: The Musical”
WHEN: Feb. 12-24
WHERE: Boston Opera House, 539 Washington St., Boston
TICKETS: Start at $44.50
INFO: 1-866-870-2717; BroadwayInBoston.com