Thomas Jefferson students gearing up for 1st shows in new theater

When Erin Kesser was pondering about the kind of musical to christen the new Thomas Jefferson High School theater, she could not come up with just one.

The 1996 graduate and first-year director pitched a cabaret with numbers from the multiple shows performed at the district since 1986.

“It’s going to be really cool and I think it’s going to catch people off guard in a good way,” Kesser said following rehearsal on April 26. “You’ll have a big group dance number, followed by a solo from another show followed by something completely unrelated.

“I just randomly picked songs that would fit the kids’ voices. We have some really good dancers, so I found some numbers from different shows that feature dancers. Because we have a brand new theater, we can use all these neat lights and effects and stuff like that to make every number really different and stick out on its own.”

Numbers include “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “Hernando’s Hideaway” from “The Pajama Game,” “Over the Rainbow” from “The Wizard of Oz” and “Lily’s Eyes” from “The Secret Garden.”

The cabaret is entitled “The Show Must Go On” and will run May 13-16.

The name was voted on by the 38 students involved in the production. It symbolizes the sacrifices made by students and staff this year and last year due to covid in order to put on a show.

“Peter Pan” was expected to be the first show in the new theater, but it was canceled last year due to the pandemic. Seniors at that time will be welcomed back to take a bow at the final cabaret show.

Rehearsals began virtually mid-March and students practiced together live at the beginning of April. Temperature checks were taken at the start of each rehearsal.

Students also have assigned seats to help with social distancing and potential contact tracing. They practice and will perform shows wearing clear masks.

“It’s kind of a miracle when you think about all the work that we’ve done,” Kesser said. “Knock on wood it’s going to continue. They get to rehearsal early. They’re eager to learn. They want to contribute. They have great ideas. I welcome all the collaboration and creative input. We’re a community and we’re coming together to put on a show.”

High school teacher Michelle Stoicovy is the costume designer and seamstress. There are about 300 costumes in the show. There is no orchestra pit to allow for a bigger audience.

Seating capacity is about 240 guests due to covid restrictions on indoor gatherings. There will be no concessions and attendees will be required to wear masks.

“Everybody will find a song they like, no matter if you’re a theatergoer and love musical theater or never been to a show in your life,” Kesser said. “It’s nonstop entertainment.”

The director praised the work of her cast and staff, and believes everyone has a greater appreciation for their work given everything was shut down last year.

“They know what it’s like to have it taken away from them,” Kesser said. “Our goal is to get the kids up there and have a high school experience that everybody should have whether there are 20 people in the audience or 1,000 people in the audience. We’re going to go ahead and we’re going to do it.”

Tickets and more information are available at tjhs.ludus.com.