Winchester High School Prepares for Spring Musical

The snow’s starting to melt, the days are getting slightly warmer and Daylight Savings Time is fast approaching, which typically means spring is right around the corner. Another trademark of the season will is also about to get underway as will hold its annual spring musical this week.

This year, students will be performing 50’s themed musical,

“It’s really fun seeing the grades come together,” said senior Emily Edstrom, who has been in the musical since her freshman year. “It’s fun to just be able to get in, have our own area to sing and dance, and perform for other people.”

For the students, these shows are a chance to perform together and showcase their talents to the community.

“I love acting and singing,” said junior Karole Alexander. “And this gives me an opportunity to do both. And this is just a funny, upbeat, positive musical, and I’m definitely looking forward to performing this week.”

Bye, Bye Birdie will have a full cast and live orchestra performing a multitude of songs. Directed by Jason VanDinter, the musical is set in 1950's American society and was inspired by the drafting of Elvis Presley. 

“I’m really excited to finally have an audience and do this,” said senior James Gill. “I just enjoy performing; it’s just a lot of fun.”

“It’s really upbeat and there’s so much energy in the 50s culture,” Edstrom said. “It’s really exciting and rewarding when you’re on stage and you’re able to get a response out of the audience, it’s really energizing.”

But just like every year, for the seniors in the show, including Edstrom and Gill, it comes with mixed emotions. While they are looking forward to the performance, this will be the last time they perform at Winchester High School.

“It’s definitely a little bittersweet,” said Edstrom who will be performing in college next year. “But it’s a lot of fun performing, and it’s definitely more fun than sad.”

“I’m a little sad that it’s over,” said Gill who will be studying theater next year at AMDA College. “It hasn’t really hit yet because I’m so focused on these next few performances, but it’s definitely going to hit Saturday night.”

Shows will be Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, beginning at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets cost $15 at the door.