LOWER LAKE — Konocti Unified School District (KUSD) thespians are preparing for their annual spring musi?cal. This year the actors will be performing a rendition of “Hairspray,” to be delivered May 20, 21 and 22 at Lower Lake High School.
Drama instructor Tracy Lahr said she is working with a cast of 50, which includes seventh- and eighth-graders as well as high school students. In addi?tion, the production will enjoy live music performances. “We have our orchestra back this year, which is really exciting,” she said.
Lahr said the cast and crew have been working diligently all year to raise funds to cover the production. “To put on a production like this, you”re talking $8,000 to $9,000 with royalties, costumes and set con?struction,” she said. “It”s really a big expense and we”ve still got a ways to go.” For donation information, call Lahr at 295-7806.
April Ambriz, 11th grade, will star in the lead role as “Tracy.” Ambriz said this will be her first performance with Lahr. “I learned we are a family and we have to come together to make this work,” she said.
Senior Nick Molencupp will wrap up six years of produc?tions with Lahr as “Mr. Pinky” as well as assistant choreogra?pher. “At first it was very sad to think that this is my last performance,” he said. “But, I”ve realized it”s been great these last six years because Tracy Lahr has changed my life and I”m very proud to have worked with her.”
Senior Austin Layne, who has participated in four pro?ductions, said he”s happy with his role as “Corny Collins.” “I was happy to have a role finally in which I can be cheesy,” he said. “It”s been a lot of fun.”
Senior Spence Hadden will be playing “Wilbur,” the father figure in Hairspray. He said he loves this cast the most. “Most, if not all, of my closed friends are in this class and I”m happy to married to my best friend,” he said.
Freshman Jesse Harrell will play Wilbur”s wife, “Edna” said he too is happy to married to his best friend.
Senior Nicolette Staats will step into the role of “Penny,” who is the lead character”s best friend. She described the char?acter as jubilant and silly. “I like Penny because she com?pletely changes by the end,” she said. “She finds love and she”s a comical character to play.”
Senior Eugene Jermany said his character, “Seaweed J. Stubbs,” is also fun to play. “My character is very fun and adventurous. He”s looked at more of an older leader,” he said. “I”ve never had a leading role, so it”s new for me deliver?ing so many lines. It”s helped me come out of my shell.”
Two-time award winner Juni Thom, will deliver her senior performance as Penny”s moth?er, “Prudy.” Thom has been acting with Lahr since seventh grade and has won two awards in separate student competi?tions. She said at first this year”s production was fun but now it”s sad, she said because Ms. Lahr cries a lot. “We”re a family and you really learn to work with other people,” she said. “This is a really high-energy play for me to end my high school acting career with.”
Freshman Allison Lahr has been in eight or nine musical under her mother”s direction, she said. She said she really enjoys acting with different people. “It”s just fun,” she said.
Junior Fallon Diener will play “Velma Von Tussle” in her 11th production with Lahr, which she said includes musicals and one-act plays. Diener said she has great aspirations to become a professional actress. “I want to become an actress, whether it”s on Broadway or the big screen; I will reach for it,” she said. “Working with Ms. Lahr all these years has guided me and given me the tools I need to reach my goal. I love her like a second mom.”
Diener said she”s typically played roles different than her current character. “It”s kind of cool Ms. Lahr”s given me a mean character,” she said. “I”ve always had the sweet and inno?cent roles and it”s fun to play a mean character for once.”
Hairspray will be performed at 7:30 p.m. May 20 and 21; a 2 p.m. matinee will be delivered May 22. Tickets are priced at $8 for students; $9 for senior citizens; and $10 for adults.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeob?server.com or call directly at 994-6444, ext. 14.
