For the last few years, Shawnee High School’s fall drama has produced a lot of laughs.
This year, the school’s theater department is going in a more serious direction, breaking away from the comedy genre to present “Fame,” a play following a group of various students as they attend the New York High School of Performing Arts.
While “Fame” may not have quite the same number of laughs as Shawnee’s previous fall dramas, it substitutes a powerfully emotional story resonating with members of the cast.
Assistant Director Liz Hower said Shawnee’s theater students were excited when they heard “Fame” was chosen as this year’s musical.
“They didn’t hear of the other plays before we did it,” she said. “So they were really excited to do this one. Many of them want to get into theater.”
The storyline about various high school students dealing with the highs and lows of performing arts school hit home for the theater students. “Fame” is structured to follow the characters through their entire four-year career at the performing arts school. Senior Dillon Evans, who will play Bruno Martelli, said the play does a good job of touching all sorts of different personalities.
“It plays all of the different perspectives of high school students,” he said.
For many members of the cast, they see their own theater career at Shawnee reflected in the story.
Junior Kira Fisher is one of two students playing the character of Doris. She said her character is relatable not just to her, but to classmates who are not involved in theater.
“Doris has a big change from where she first starts out,” Fisher said. “She is able to find herself.”
The play is particularly special for the seniors in the cast. David Thomas, playing the character of Leroy Johnson, said he has changed like many of the play’s characters do in the show. The role of Johnson is much more serious than characters Thomas has played previously.
“I usually like to play the happy, fun one,” he said.
Thomas said he has adapted to the change in role. He said “Fame” has a different tone than other plays, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing.
“It doesn’t have the happiest ending, but it has a good ending,” he said.
Senior Lauren Critelli is also playing Doris and said the tone of “Fame” makes it a much more emotional show than other past plays.
“Everyone has experienced some emotion with it,” Critelli said.
One of the challenges in putting on “Fame” has been the music. Director Marc Rohm enlisted extra help to put on the show’s two musical numbers. One of his assistants with the music is a student, Zak Fulcher.
“Zak is a big help with the music,” Rohm said. “He did all of the harmonies.”
The music may be a change for the fall drama, but it was a welcome one for many students who also participate in Shawnee’s spring musical.
“With the music and dancing numbers, I think its a lot of fun,” Critelli said.
The final act of the show takes a look at the characters’ senior year. The cast feels it will be a fitting send-off for seniors participating in their final play. Evans said the final act on the final night of show will be extra special.
“It’s going to be the last time we have a chance to take the stage,” he said.
The cast hopes their peers will come out and become as emotionally invested in the play as they are. Thomas said the characters aren’t just relatable to theater kids, but to all high schoolers.
Community members will have four chances to see “Fame.” The show will be performed at Shawnee High School’s auditorium on Nov. 13, 14 and 15 at 7 p.m. There will also be a 1 p.m. matinee on Nov. 15. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for students at the door.
