The kids are the stars in Munopcos raucous "School of Rock" through March 6 at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 1533 Hamilton St., in Allentown.
The young actors, some as young as 9, shine in the story based on the 2003 film of the same name, in which wannabe rock star Dewey Finn (Andrew Mark Shaffer) taps a class of fifth graders to put together a rock band with the goal of competing in the Battle of the Bands.
The show really finds its heart when Dewey impersonates his best friend Ned (a henpecked Colton Boyd) to get a job as a substitute teacher at exclusive prep school Horace Green.
Dewey is like a whirlwind when he arrives late with a hangover to teach the class of skeptical kids.
At first the kids are resistant but, when Dewey discovers they have musical talent when they play classical music in the school orchestra, he pushes them to put together a rock band.
Laila Asghar is appealing as the overachieving Summer who is slowly won over by Dewey and becomes the band manager.
Ryan Pakzad has his Zach start out stiff and insecure and then loosen up as he embraces playing guitar.
Khylah Eure as shy new girl Tomika impresses with an a capella version of "Amazing Grace" to become a singer in the band.
Also engaging are Ella Bruch bassist Katie, Abby Carrig as keyboard player Laura and Nyrie Washburn as drummer Frederica.
Samantha Rodriguez, Laney Levin and Kayla Carrington are dynamite as a trio of dancing back up singers with choreography by Darice Hoffmann.
A standout is Shy Torres as Billy, the kid who would rather read "Vogue" than play football and ends up doing costume design for the band.
The other talented kids who play the rest of the students are Noah Saborsky, Keane Carrington, Jacob Miller, William Saborsky, Taylor Green, and Nevaeh Nuber-Laubach.
The songs done by the band, which the kids name School of Rock, are all fun and energetic. The best one is the anthem to thwarting authority "Stick it to the Man."
Melissa Dorfinger is entertaining as Mrs. Mullins the tightly wound principal who finally loosens up in "Where Did The Rock Go."
Even Boyds Ned gets to come out of his shell at the end and embrace his inner rock star.
Heather LaBelle is also good as Neds controlling girlfriend Patti.
Director Becky Saunders, does an admirable job reigning in a stage full of kids into a cohesive show.
A rock band directed by Chad Miller, fills the theater with the sounds of drums and electric guitars, and also doubles as the band No Vacancy who competes in the Battle of the Bands with a preening rendition of "Im Too Hot For You." Bands members include Ellen Flicko, Lucille Kincaid, Jay David and Gerard Jankaitis. Miller also is music director.
The set included an impressive backdrop of the halls of Horace Green that truly felt three-dimensional.
There were some issues with microphones opening night.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. March 4-5; and 2 p.m. March 6.
Masks are required in the Scottish Rite Cathedral.
Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors and $15 for students.
For information, go tomunopco.org or call 610-437-2441.