Putting on a musical that's heavy on dance numbers with a cast that has little or no dance training can be a challenge.
But thanks to a lot of hard work (and help from a professional choreographer), Canal Winchester High School students in the cast of "Fame-The Musical" are ready to hit the stage April 27 and 28.
"There's a lot of dancing and my character is one of the dancing students," CWHS sophomore Hannah Hall said. "I'm not particularly a dancer myself, so there has been a lot of hard work involved with the show and I have learned a lot."
Alyssa Gebhart, a senior, plays the dance teacher in the show.
Gebhart expects the show will be "amazing" by the time it opens.
She said she has gained a lot from the high school's drama program.
"Throughout all four years, this has definitely helped me come out of my shell and become more confident in myself," she said.
When they started practicing, director Abbey Phillips said about 80 percent of the cast had no dance training, but they were "excited, eager and dedicated to learn all the different style of dance" for the performance.
"Fame-The Musical" is based on a 1980 film developed by David DeSilva with a book by Jose Fernandez that later became a television show that ran for six seasons between 1982-87.
The plot follows the lives of students who attend New York City's High School of Performing Arts from their freshmen year through their graduation.
Phillips said the musical was a "great option" because it portrays students who are constantly challenged by their own self-doubt as they "learn the true discipline needed to pursue any career."
"Our audiences will recognize the main theme, if not many other pieces throughout the show," Phillips said. "They can expect dance styles from classical ballet to Latin salsa to urban hip hop. The audience will experience a range of emotions, from uproarious laughter to heart-tugging sadness to excitement."
The musical, which Phillips said includes "lush ballads, jazz grooves, Latin rhythms and stirring gospel anthems," involves 50 cast members and 12 crew members.
Show times for "Fame-The Musical" are 7 p.m. Friday, April 27, and at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, April 28, at Oley Speaks Auditorium, 300 Washington St.
Tickets can be ordered at CWHSDrama@gmail.com or purchased at the door. The cost is $10 for adults and $7 for students and seniors. All seats are reserved.
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