The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

School’s spring musical is a toe-tapper

‘Back to the 80’s’ will be presented today and Saturday at Franklin  High School auditorium.

Tiffany Houston, played by Sidney Hamilton, finds herself at the center of a tug-of-war between Michael Feldman (left), played by Alex Elton, and Corey Palmer Jr., played by Jacob Hatfield, during rehearsal of Franklin High School’s production of “Back to the 80’s” on Wednesday, March 17.

Contributed photo by David A. Moodie Tiffany Houston, played by Sidney Hamilton, finds herself at the center of a tug-of-war between Michael Feldman (left), played by Alex Elton, and Corey Palmer Jr., played by Jacob Hatfield, during rehearsal of Franklin High School’s production of “Back to the 80’s” on Wednesday, March 17.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Ohio leaders preparing defense of bases amidst closures
Updated 14 min. ago
Pentagon to allow women to serve near front lines
9:17 a.m.
Franklin may leave joint EMS group
8:24 a.m.
County candidates seek to sway voters at forum
8:19 a.m.
State plane cleared by FAA to fly again
2/10/12
> More headlines

By Marie Rossiter, Staff Writer Updated 7:00 AM Friday, March 19, 2010

FRANKLIN — Franklin High School’s spring musical will be a fun flashback to the decade of big hair, leg warmers and the birth of the music video.

“Back to the 80’s ... The Totally Awesome Musical” will be performed at 7 p.m. today, March 19, and Saturday, March 20, in the McDade Auditorium.

“This musical will definitely have the audience tapping their toes,” said Lucinda Bires, FHS vocal music teacher. “The students began rehearsing on Jan. 19. They are having a great time with all the music in the show.”

The musical includes some of the biggest hits of the decade, including “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go,” “Footloose,” “Video Killed the Radio Star,” “Walking on Sunshine,” “Let’s Hear it for the Boy,” “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” and “Eye of the Tiger.”

Bires is the show’s co-director along with Selena Combs; Olivia Dettamore is the choreographer. Elaina Brown will direct the orchestra. Sound and lighting is under the direction of Tim Guth.

The story’s focus is two young men, Corey and Michael, both of whom are running for senior class president at William Ocean High School in the 1980s. Love triangles, election shenanigans, and fake love letters complicate their class’ senior year.

Junior Alex Watts, who plays Lionel, has been in three shows and said he enjoys “seeing the show progress and seeing it turn into something I’m truly proud of.”

Senior Emilee Johnson, who plays Cindy in the show, said she loves how upbeat the show is and it has given her a new appreciation for the era.

“I wish I would have grown up in the ’80s,” Alex said. “It’s radical!”

Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors older than 60, and $8 for groups of 10 more. Children 5 and younger get in free.

Tickets will be available the night of the show; however, to reserve the best seats, call Tracy Wallace at (937) 746-0753 and leave a message.

“Back to the 80’s” was written by Neil Gooding with original musical adaptation by Scott Copeman.

Share this article