Long before Disney arrived on the scene with “High School Musical” along with its many sequels, the “high school musical” has been beloved and celebrated for a reason. Yes, it is a vital learning opportunity for anyone who participates–teaching self confidence, dedication, emotional awareness, story-telling, teamwork, compassion, and discipline for everyone involved from the leading character to the stage hand who has to bring on that one essential piece of scenery at just the right moment.
But it is so much more than that.
It is a collaborative effort that reveals everything about the school that presents it and the moment in time we’re living in. It is a chance for parents and siblings, aunts and uncles, friends of all ages, and teachers and students to connect in a profound way with stories that are played out right in front. They get to witness everyday people they know being transformed and magnified by the crowd. It is an experience that will never be forgotten and never be repeated.
For all these reasons and more, high school musicals are the antidote to all that ails us.
We here in Santa Barbara are so lucky to have such great high school theatre programs, which began this weekend, about to present their spring musicals. So, go to support young talent–go to see wonderful dancing, singing, and acting at truly affordable prices–go to forget your troubles and immerse yourself in age-old stories of love and intrigue and magic and murder. You won’t regret it!
‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’
First up will be a world premiere of a musical version of William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at Santa Barbara High School. The show opened Friday, April 24 and plays through Sunday, May 3rd at 4 p.m. In case you’ve never seen the play, the story involves four young people in varied states of infatuation: a fairy queen and king, a group of comic actors, a mischievous spirit named Puck and a whimsical plot of magic and misunderstanding and of course a happy ending.
The script has been edited and reimagined and features original music and songs. I dropped by the technical rehearsal this weekend and joined the actors outside as we were led into an auditorium, completely transformed into a fairy woodland. Led by director Gioia Marchese and designed by Jake Himovitz, the production invites the audience into an immersive musical Midsummer experience.
As lights were focused around me, the star curtain twinkled, and Oberon and Titania emerged through a curtain of fog, I truly felt transported to another world. The location is 700 E. Anapamu St. Santa Barbara. Visit https://www.simpletix.com/e/a-midsummer-night-s-dream-tickets-266324 to purchase tickets or sbhstheater.com for more information.
‘Sweeney Todd’
Next up will be a spectacular production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Sweeney Todd” at San Marcos High School opening April 30 at the Marquis Performing Arts Center at San Marcos and running May 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9 at 7 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday May 3. The Tony award winning musical tells the story of Sweeney Todd, the demon barber of Fleet Street, whose terrible childhood leads him to a life of obsession and murder in partnership with his gleefully evil companion Mrs. Lovett who reaps the benefits of his crimes for her own peculiar meat pies. Director Shannon Saleh explains that “Sweeney Todd is a tale of longing, romance, disguise, revenge, and the slow journey into the darkness of a soul bereft of love” I had a chance to see the first act of the dress rehearsal, and the show was already completely engrossing with riveting characters, powerfully affecting singing, dynamic choreography and a live, well-rehearsed student orchestra.
The student actors are clearly relishing the opportunity of bringing to life this macabre but very enjoyable tale of a Victorian crime spree and are telling the story with real clarity and power. Tickets can be purchased at www.smhstheaterdept.com
‘Curtains’
Finally, The Dos Pueblos Theatre Company will present the musical comedy mystery “Curtains” at the Elings Performing Arts Center on May 7, 8, 14, 15, 16 at 7 p.m. and May 9 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. “Curtains” premiered on Broadway in 2007 and is written by John Kander and Fred Ebb (the team that created Chicago among other musicals). It takes place in 1959 and begins on the opening night of a new musical when the leading lady suddenly and mysteriously dies onstage. A musical theater-loving detective arrives to get to the bottom of the mystery and is soon drawn into the drama.
I dropped by the Dos Pueblos theatre a few weeks ago and had a chance to speak with director Emily Libera about her program which has extraordinary student involvement in every aspect of production. As we talked I watched students assembling the set before my eyes, student costumers were working assiduously, Emily’s assistant director, Felicia Hall (a beloved local actor in her own right) had just wrapped up a working acting rehearsal, and a group of dancers perfected the choreography in another room. It was exciting to see so many high school students so completely committed and concentrating on the work. For ticket information and additional details, please visit the website at dphstheatrecompany.org
