'Twelfth Night' Strikes Perfect Chord As Salem High Musical

SALEM, MA — This weekend is all about love and music on the Salem High School stage.

After two years of schedules twisted around the COVID-19 health crisis, the Salem High Drama Club is back with a January production that this year is a musical adaptation of a William Shakespeare comedy called "Twelfth Night." The jazz-funk musical was composed by Shaina Taub.

"As a newcomer to Salem High, I spent weeks searching for the perfect musical to start my time here," Salem High teacher and musical director Leah Hamilton French told Patch. "I wanted something that was inclusive, inviting, and joyful. The minute I heard the first song on the 'Twelfth Night' soundtrack, I knew I had found the one.

"Not only is it based on one of my favorite Shakespeare plays — and the first play I remember seeing as a child — but the music and the message are spot on."

This is a show about love in all its many forms: love for friends, family, partners, and community.

French said that was a big part of its appeal for herself and the student performers.

"Since arriving in Salem, I have felt warmly welcomed," French said. "And I have been bowled over by how much these students and this community love their music. Many of these students belong to other music groups. From marching band, jazz band, percussion, acappella, choir and more, their talent and dedication to their art are truly extraordinary.

"Woven throughout this story is the question 'Who am I, but how do I look to you?' It is a question we have all asked ourselves at one time or another, but one that speaks especially to the teenage experience of figuring out who you are and how to be true to that person."

French said students were active collaborators in the show as they assisted with lighting design, set construction, choreography and rehearsal accompaniment.

"There were many moments where students took on leadership roles and participated in creative decision-making," she said. "I could not be more proud of them."

Last year's performance was delayed until spring because of the coronavirus surge coming out of holiday break, while the show two years ago was postponed.

Performances for this year's show are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. The show runs about 105 minutes, including a brief intermission.

A live jazz quintet will perform in the lobby 30 minutes prior to each performance with concessions sales and a raffle going to benefit O*N*S*T*A*G*E at Salem High School.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)