LAWRENCE: ’80s’ show brings big hair back to high school

By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
Jesse Dubin, Danielle O’Neill and Stacy Adamczyk had not been born when “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go” and “Kids in America” — songs they will sing in the musical “Back to the 80s” — were popular.
    But the three Lawrence High School students will sing those songs on the stage at the LHS auditorium Thursday, Friday and Saturday during the three-day run of the LHS theater group’s spring play. There are showings at 7 p.m. each night, plus a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee.
    Jesse, Danielle and Stacy will be joined by a cast of more than 60 LHS students — plus more classmates working behind the scenes — as they portray the graduating class at William Ocean High School in the musical, which was written by Australian playwright Neil Gooding.
    The musical is similar to “Grease” in that an unpopular boy falls in love with a popular girl, said LHS theater teacher Lorie Baldwin, who directed the play. This play is set in the 1980s, not the 1950s.
    The play tells the story of the senior class at William Ocean High School, which graduated during the 1980s, through the eyes of 30-something Corey Palmer, according to the play’s Web site, www.backtothe80smusical.com.
    The young Corey — who is played by Karl Weigand — is 17 years old in the play and has a crush on his next-door neighbor, Tiffany Houston. She is played by Demi Washington. Corey Palmer Sr., who relates the tale, is played by Sean McDonald.
    But Tiffany ignores young Corey because she is more interested in Michael Feldman, who is athletic and good-looking. Michael and his friends are the type of boys Corey and his friends would like to be. But Corey and his friends still are better off than nerdy character Feargal McFerrin III, played by Jesse Girard.
    The play follows Corey through the school year, beginning with the senior class elections. Michael steals Corey’s election speech and uses it in his campaign.
    Michael promises each girl a kiss in exchange for a vote and is elected class president. Tiffany is elected class vice president.
    New students arrive at William Ocean High School during the year, including twin cheerleaders Mel and Kim Easton — portrayed by Megan Robb and Marlyn Herrara — and Eileen Reagan, played by Summer Beasley.
    Eileen’s life becomes nightmarish when Michael and his friends send her fake love letters.
    The LHS students have been practicing for the play since January, Ms. Baldwin said. She said she chose the play after learning about it at a theater workshop in New York City.
    She said she liked it and brought it back to LHS for the spring production.
Tickets are $10 at the door.