Variety Show Provides Closure for Students

More than 600 parents, students, staff, and administration piled into the Lake Zurich High School (LZHS) Performing Arts Center on Sunday afternoon, to watch the make shift variety show, “The Phoenix.”

“I’m delighted to be here,” said Doug Goldberg, District 95 School Board member, his family seated next to him. “It’s an opportunity for the kids to showcase their talents to the community.”

The variety show was put together in four days to replace the canceled production of “The Sparrow,” directed by former drama and English teacher Ronald J. Culver, which was set to run from Thursday, Nov. 4, through Saturday, Nov. 6.

“I think it (the cancellation of the show) was the right decision to make. It took the burden off of everyone,” said Mylinda Buto, parent.

Culver was arrested and charged on Monday, Nov. 1, by Lake Zurich police with aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a LZHS student, identified as J. Doe. The student's  name, sex, and age remain unidentified. Later in the week, Michael Egan, District 95 superintendent, decided to cancel Culver's play

“There are so many people that don’t want to believe what really happened with Culver and there are others who judged him negatively right away,” said Kelly Smith, LZHS class of 2007 and former drama student.

“It’s hard to absorb and I don’t know what’s true, ” said Bob Lloyd, LZHS class of 2006 and former drama student.

Keely Banach, cast as the lead Emily, in “The Sparrow” opened the variety show by reading a letter from the cast and crew to the audience explaining the events surrounding the cancellation of “The Sparrow.”

She explained how they learned about Culver’s resignation, and later, the reason why he resigned, and finally, the cancellation of the play.

“We were sad, confused, and very angry,” she said. “We felt alone and abandoned.”

Banach went on to describe how the variety show developed. “We did thank him (Michael J. Egan, District 95 superintendent) for letting us stay together,” she said.

Only students who were cast and crew of “The Sparrow” were able to audition and participate in the variety show.

“I have some friends in the show and I thought I’d come and support them,” said Ashley Friebus, junior.

Among the two acts in the variety show, there were several numbers from musicals such as, "Wicked," "Legally Blonde," "Les Miserables," and "The Drowsey Chaperone," and a "Jersey Boys" medley.

In between numbers, 11 students served as the masters of ceremony, interjecting humor and sarcasm.

Other numbers included dance, vocal numbers of popular songs like “Telephone” by Lady Gaga and Beyonce, and “Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera.

A scene from Harry Potter was turned into a humorous slapstick comedy and the infamous “Cowbell” skit from "Saturday Night Live" was well received.

The audience responded  best to the two numbers taken from “The Sparrow” involving flying and leaping sequences in which Banach would fly and leap around the stage, suspended by a fastened wire, operated by Nick Buto, student.

“I think the variety show went really well and it gave us all closure,” said Banach.

The show ended with the entire cast singing to “Jumper” by Third Eye Blind. The audience gave them a standing ovation.

“I’m happy they (administration) gave us the chance to do the variety show,” said Kait Wood, student and stage manager.

Next week students will begin production for the children’s theater performance. “I was already set to direct that, so things are moving along like they should,” said Marcel Graham, technical director at LZHS.

“The kids were extraordinary in the variety show and I’m happy they were able to put it on.”