April 3, 2023 |
Photo – RHS Musical Play Poster – Courtesy Rawlins High School
Rawlins High School students are putting on a musical play based on a popular young adult novel.
Joseph Husband is in his third year of teaching choir at Rawlins High School. Each year he and the school’s fine arts students produce and perform a musical play. Last year, they put on Dan Goggin’s musical, “Nunsense.” Next week, the Rawlins High students will present their take on the Broadway rendition of “Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief.” Husband explained why he chose this story for the students to perform.
Published in 2005, “Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief,” is the first book in Rick Riordan’s critically acclaimed five-part Percy Jackson series. The book was adapted into a Broadway musical in 2014. In the novel and play, Percy Jackson is a young man who discovers he is related to the ancient Greek god of the sea, Poseidon. Husband described a little more of the plot.
The RHS student version of the play will include songs from the Broadway musical. Husband said the music is used to emphasize important emotional moments of the play.
Husband said he has 16 kids working on the show. When it comes to putting on a successful play, the choir teacher said, the behind-the-scenes crew is as important as the actors.
Husband said the fine arts team weren’t required to construct elaborate sets for the “Percy Jackson,” play. He said lighting is used in creative ways to convey what’s going on in the story.
Husband said production on the show began late last year. He said the kids have shown a lot of dedication by attending rehearsals before and after school.
With the opening date quickly approaching, Husband was asked what next year’s show will be. He said it was too early to say exactly what he has in store, but he said he has some ideas.
Originally slated to debut this past weekend, The Rawlins High School production of “Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief,” will be held on April 7th and 8th. Show time is set for at 7:00pm, in the RHS Fine Arts Auditorium. Admission is free.
