FIRST ALUMNI MUSICAL DRAWS
A CROWD
SAVE the DATES!
BY CAITLIN PRICE AND ANDREA SISK
PHOTO CREDIT: HAWKHUNTER PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAI STANTON
T
he last weekend in July was the dawning of a new tradition of
excellence for Woodland Hills High School. Alumni from the school’s
award-winning musical program convened in a first: staging and
performing a full show in just 48 hours. The performance showcased the
district’s talented alumni while raising nearly $7000 to fund future WHHS
Performing Arts Department productions.
More than 90 alumni from WHHS’s 32-year performing arts program
had just two days to learn, rehearse and perform “Hair,” the 1960s hit
Broadway rock musical that follows the story of long-haired hippies
living the bohemian life in New York City in response to and fighting
against the Vietnam War. Participants traveled from across the United
States for another chance to grace the WHHS stage, and many continue
to be involved with theater and performing today. Performers literally
coast to coast – from New York to California and Alaska – made the trek
for another chance to work with esteemed Performing Arts Department
Chair Tom Crone, who has directed every show at Woodland Hills since
its first production in 1988. An initial meeting was held Thursday at 6
p.m., followed by a day and a half of rehearsals before concluding with a
performance on Saturday at 8 p.m. in the high school’s auditorium.
The cast delighted over 700 audience members, concluding the show
with the announcement for the 2020 spring musical (revealed by the 1995
cast of “Jesus Christ Superstar”) and the singing of a tradition that started
in Churchill High School: Brother James’ Air, the Marosa.
The weekend had another unintentional result: It bonded 32 years of
Woodland Hills alumni together in relationships that will last until next time.
ON
WOODLAND HILLS
❘
FALL 2019
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