Lincoln Park High School presents “A Chorus Line – Teen Edition” at 7 p.m. March 6 to 8 at the LPHS auditorium, 1701 Champaign Road. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Call the high school office at 313-389-0234 to order.
Two Downriver high schools showcase their talented thespians this coming weekend as Lincoln Park High School presents “A Chorus Line – Teen Edition” and Allen Park High School performs the musical “The Theory of Relativity.”
LINCOLN PARK HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTS ‘A CHORUS LINE – TEEN EDITION’
Lincoln Park High School is one of 10 high school theater programs nationwide and the only school in Michigan to be granted performance rights to the musical “A Chorus Line – Teen Edition” in 2025, which marks the 50th anniversary of the Tony Award-winning musical “A Chorus Line,” which in 1976 received a Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
The show follows the tension of ensemble auditions for a Broadway play, exploring the lives and ambitions of the professional performers through songs, dance and dialogue.
It includes “What I Did for Love,” “One,” “I Can Do That,” “At the Ballet,” “The Music and the Mirror” and “I Hope I Get It.”
The high school version is family-friendly, eliminating sexual content, anatomical references and profanity, and requires fewer male characters.
For example, in the song “Dance Ten; Looks: Three,” the phrase “tits and ass” becomes “this and that.”
Director Geoffrey Kopp said the LPHS theater program was the only group in Michigan to receive free licensing to “A Chorus Line – Teen Edition” through the nationwide “One Singular Sensation Contest.”
The competition awarded free licenses of the musical’s teen edition to 10 schools in low-income communities. Winners were chosen based on financial need and application answer creativity.
Kopp said theater, music and fine arts are a key part of Lincoln Park Public Schools’ well-rounded education.
“This production required our theater students to put their artistry to the test every day,” he said. “Their greatest challenge has been mastering the complex dance routines that embody what ‘A Chorus Line’ is all about.”
Kopp said the cast worked with a professional choreographer for weeks, including weekends, to master the dance moves, with many of the students starting out with no prior dance experience.
“It’s been exhilarating watching our students improve and expand their talents over the past few months,” he said. “Our student actors and theater technicians have developed a passion for theater that drives them to succeed onstage and behind the curtain.”
Emily Clark, who plays Richie, said the students worked hard on the production and put in long hours preparing for the performances.
“Many grueling hours of dance practice and rehearsal were put into this,” she said. “The take away, in my opinion, is never give up on your dreams.”
Kit Pilon, who plays Val, said the variety of dance styles has been exciting to learn and perform.
Maddie Edward, who plays Maggie, said she has loved learning the songs and dances, though singing a soprano part has been challenging for her, as she is accustomed to singing in the alto range.
“We have worked so hard on this show,” she said. “I hope people realize to chase their dreams: that is what this show is all about.”
Sha’Niah Marsh, who plays Cassie, said she has enjoyed getting to know her castmates during rehearsals.
“I hope that after the show, everyone takes a memory of the show and the joy that was put into this production, and that they’ll come back again for the next season or show.”
Royce Withrow, who plays Zach, the director who is running the show’s auditions, said sitting in the auditorium with the audience for more than half of the show is challenging.
“The atmosphere we are trying to create for audience members is one that will make them feel like they walked into an audition room,” he said. “It is my job to stay locked into the scene on stage and not disrupt the truly immersive atmosphere of this incredibly moving show.”
Withrow said he enjoys seeing the show from the audience’s perspective.
“I have really been enjoying getting to watch my fellow cast mates absolutely kill it on the stage,” he said. “I usually am stuck backstage and often don’t get to see some of the coolest parts of a show.”
Withrow said the show itself is compelling, truthful and authentic.
“It follows auditionees of all different backgrounds auditioning for a Broadway show but being asked by the director to share their personal and sometimes uncomfortable stories.
“The main thing that I want audience members to take away from our production is respect and admiration for artists and the measures taken to succeed in the world of theater, despite whatever problems, hardships and obstacles the auditionees were experiencing outside of the auditorium doors.”
Other students in the cast include: Airy Adams as Mark, Mariah Blevins as Lori, Emma Cromwell as Bebe, Gianni Espinoza as Mike, Oakley Frost as Paul, Xavier Gaines as Bobby, Destiny Galarza as Sheila, Ali Robinson as Judy, Giselle Salcido as Diana, Raul Servin as Al, Gabby Tuttle as Kristine, Aalayeah Whitfield as Connie, and Tyler Beaton, Riley Edward and Lawrence Regalado as the dancers cut early.
Two LPHS alumni are also in the cast: Rose Panyek as Greg and Malakai Cano as Don.
Lincoln Park Middle School teacher Beth Wondolowski is the vocal director, with choreography by Mina Haidi, assisted by Kelsey Genga.
The show runs 7 p.m. March 6 to 8 at the Lincoln Park High School auditorium, 1701 Champaign Road in Lincoln Park.
Tickets are $10 in advance at $12 at the door, with a $25 dinner theater option at 5 p.m. March 6, with VIP seating, with advance purchase only. Call the school office at 313-389-0234 to order.
Allen Park High School presents the musical “The Theory of Relativity” at 7 p.m. March 7 and 8, and 2 p.m. March 8 and 9 at the Allen Park Center for the Arts, 19001 Champaign Road. Tickets at $10, and must be purchased in advance at apca.ludus.com.
ALLEN PARK HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTS THE MUSICAL ‘THE THEORY OF RELATIVITY’
Allen Park High School presents the musical “The Theory of Relativity” March 7 to 9 at the Allen Park Center for the Arts.
The musical explores how people’s lives are connected through a series of seemingly unrelated stories about young adults navigating love, loss and personal experiences, while drawing parallels to the concept of relativity in physics.
Director Delaney Mae Singleton said she fell in love with the show’s music during her college days while studying theater.
“This show is simple by nature, but has its complexities once you dive in deeper,” she said. “I believe this gives an amazing opportunity to young actors to explore character building and to be more thoughtful in their work creating a new world onstage.”
Singleton said the show is a fluid piece that helps audiences understand the interconnection of the characters.
“I have really enjoyed getting to dive into these goofy, damaged, loveable, vibrant, heartbreaking and entertaining characters with our cast,” she said. “We have been able to really pave our own path with these characters, and it has been so rewarding to see their creativity shine.”
Lily Murdoch, who plays Julie, said the show has a quick pace, and the cast must be ready at all times.
“There’s something in this show that everyone will enjoy, and I hope people come away from it feeling the sense of community it should create,” she said. “The interconnectedness of people is what ‘The Theory of Relativity’ is all about.”
Jackson Raby, who plays Ryan, said he has enjoyed the sense of camaraderie he has developed with the cast while rehearsing.
“I hope people enjoy the show,” he said.
Kassie Fox, who plays Sara, said audiences will be able to relate to many of the characters in the show.
“I hope that when people see our show, they walk away more motivated to see life in other people’s shoes in their day-to-day,” she said.
Lizzie Klos, who plays Mira, said playing the character has been a challenge for her, and forced her to step outside of her comfort zone.
She said she has enjoyed the lighthearted atmosphere at rehearsals after a grueling school day.
“It’s nice to know that whatever I’m going through, there’s so many people at rehearsal who will be there for me,” Klos said.
She said she was skeptical about the show at first, but has really come to enjoy it.
“It is such a beautiful show about all these different teenagers’ lives and how they’re all connected,” Klos said. “These songs and stories go from fun and lighthearted to heartbreaking in a second, and it really puts into perspective how different people’s lives can be, and yet despite that, we’re all still connected.”
Others in the cast include: Anderson Demorow as Oliver, Dominic Tsonos as Mike, Gavin Leeman as Adam, Nathan Sullivan as Paul, Ryan Workman as Anthony, Kylie Warren as Jenny, Kailey Streeter as Caroline, Nelly Colon as Catherine and Tessa Shepherd as Amy.
Featured ensemble members include Grant Willoughby, Loren Minton and Dilyn Soliz. Other ensemble members include Carmen Gutierrez, Zayden Hill, Kathy Housley and Alyssa Thomas.
Mina Haidi is the choreographer, with music direction by Vanessa El-Zein Lai.
Performances are 7 p.m. March 7 and 8, and 2 p.m. March 9 at the Allen Park Center for the Arts, 19001 Champaign Road.
Tickets are $10 and can only be purchased online in advance at apca.ludus.com.