If you’re into musicals and have not seen one recently, do you have any plans for the week of Feb. 24?

Patrick Henry High School’s Theatre Department will be performing The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals for a five-night run (Feb. 24-28). All shows begin at 6 p.m.

Under the direction of PHHS Theatre Teacher and Director Jeff Russell, the show promises to entertain.

“It is a show that was created and first performed by a production company named Team Starkid,” Russell stated. “They have actually released quite a few original musicals. This is actually our second show from Team Starkid. In 2024 we produced the Trail to Oregon, which is a show based on the Oregon Trail computer game from the 1990’s. Their shows are fun, quirky, and have really great energy – which I believe matches the energies and attitudes of the students in our theatre company.”

According to Russell, the musical was cast in October and the team started rehearsals then as well.

“In order to accommodate for my schedule as well as the needs of many of our students, we actually rehearse before school Tuesday through Friday each week from 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.,” Russell noted. “In addition, there is a dedicated team of students that is working on the set construction and painting for the show. They meet after school on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays to work on anything from building and painting to designing and programming the lighting for the show. We have also hired a choreographer, Erica Kahn, and a vocal director, Kayla Gonzales, who come in one to two mornings each week to work on dance and singing for the show.”

Given the busy schedules countless students have in and out of the classroom, one might think it is hard to attract teens to become part of a theatre group on campus. Some kids find being part of such a group quite rewarding.

“One of the major things that draws a student into school and keeps them engaged and coming back every day is having something to be a part of,” Russell remarked. “Theatre is not necessarily the answer for every student, but it can be the answer for many. Not only are they having the chance to engage in something incredibly creative and challenging, but they are becoming a part of an inclusive community that values their contributions. It has always been important to me as a director to build a group dynamic where the cast and crew members are not there for their own self aggrandizement or their egos, but are there because they want to be a part of something. Our group has done a really good job fostering that attitude and it is important that it continues.”

As anyone who has been part of such a group over time can attest to, a lot goes into putting together and performing such shows.

“Being on stage in theatre or working as a crew member is a lot like engaging in one of the biggest and most complicated group projects imaginable,” Russell continued. “These experiences will serve the students in the future when they are being asked to make a contribution as well as valuing and supporting the contributions of others around them. If we could get everyone to cooperate the way these kids do, then my worries about the future would be over.”

Students love performing at PHHS

Speaking of those students, several of them noted that being part of something in a group setting is rather rewarding.

“I have participated in traditional productions at PHHS since ninth grade, but this is my first musical,” Matthew En stated. “What I enjoy most is working with our director, Mr. Russell, being part of a community of highly talented actors, and having the opportunity to showcase the ‘weird’ side of my personality. The biggest challenge in memorizing lines is practicing alone in an empty space or rehearsing in a full classroom. Since I often play comedic roles with punchlines, I’m responsible for making the audience laugh. The challenge lies in adapting to the varying demographics that attend our shows.”

En, who said after graduating from PHHS he plans to pursue a minor in theatre or drama, hopefully at San Diego State University or Oregon State University, hopes other students will give theatre a try.

“My biggest piece of advice, as cliché as it sounds, is to have fun,” En commented. “Enjoy spending time with friends, embracing the randomness of different scenes, singing along to musical albums between classes, and spontaneously dancing to scores you and your peers have choreographed.”

Fellow student Darcy Siniavsky noted, “I’ve been in the Patrick Henry theatre program since the beginning of ninth, which isn’t very long considering this is my first year in high school. But in the productions I’ve been involved in, I greatly appreciate the community, especially since everyone is so kind and accepting. I love being on stage with my friends, and the inside jokes are the cherry on top.”

For Siniavsky like some other students involved, knowing your lines is critical to the success of any show.

“Remembering your lines is definitely stressful, because it’s the only thing that you can either do or not do, no halfway,” Siniavsky remarked. “But if you study, it becomes easier and less terrifying. Live crowds always make me a bit nervous and jittery before the show, but when I get into the flow of the scene, it’s like they aren’t even there.”

Siniavsky, who said she would really like to pursue community theatre or any theatre course that college offers, said she wants to balance her life, though, so it might not happen as often.

No matter what Siniavsky’s plans are down the road, she is living the moment with PHHS theatre, advising others to consider joining.

Consider getting into high school theatre

“Please get into theatre,” Siniavsky stated. “I know talking on stage may seem daunting, but there are people to help you along the way. I used to be very socially awkward and didn’t know how to talk to people or recognize my self worth, but when you realize that when you’re up there and everybody’s laughing with you and cheering, all of the bad stuff just melts away. There are responsibilities, but that can prepare you for events later in life. It can’t hurt to try it out, and everyone is welcome. Also, our teacher is amazing and hilarious.”

Student Isabelle Chase has been involved in PHHS theatre production several years and loves it.

“I have been involved in productions here at PHHS for all three years that I’ve been here so far, and I’m planning on it again next year,” Chase remarked. “The people in this department are amazing, and working with all of them makes me actually want to get to school at 7:30 in the morning. Mr. Russell, our director, always manages to create a positive environment that is welcoming to everyone, and I always look forward to being able to work with my fellow cast members, many of whom I now consider my closest friends, so I’d say that the people are my favorite part of being involved with the productions here.”

Like others in such performances, Chase notes that remembering lines is critical to the success of any production.

“Remembering your lines is one of the biggest challenges in live theater, because most everyone else is relying on you for their lines as well,” Chase said. “However, unplanned improvising can save, and even sometimes improve a show. In our production of Trail to Oregon last year, many moments were improvised that made the audience, and us, laugh. Sometimes, you know all of your lines, but then the stress of being in front of 100 people on stage gets to you, and your mind goes blank. My biggest piece of advice is to just trust yourself and try not to stress too much if you forget something, we all do it, and your fellow castmates are there to help you out.”

Chase, who also wants to continue performing when she gets to college, hopes fellow students will give theatre a try.

“For any other PHHS students who would like to get involved, please know that we would love to have you here,” Chase stated. “Some advice that I would give you is kind of cheesy, but just don’t be afraid to be yourself. We welcome everyone, no matter who you are. Just make a promise to yourself that you’ll put in the time and effort, and I promise you’ll have an amazing experience.”

Zia Murphy has been involved with theatre at the school since her freshman year and gets much out of it.

“My first introduction to high school performances was when we did a 2022 stage-adapted play version of the horror movie ‘Scream.’ The most enjoyable part above everything else is the family and lifelong memories you make,” Murphy stated. “The thing with theatre acting is that you only get a few shots to get your lines and blocking right, it’s not like movie acting where you can do multiple takes behind a camera and they can edit out whatever goes wrong. It’s always extra nerve-wracking knowing you’ll be watched live, but that always motivates me to try extra hard.”

With hopes to pursue an acting career one day, Murphy hopes other students will give theatre a try during their time at PHHS.

“Don’t let the fear of being embarrassed get in the way of having fun, that’s something that my acting teachers always told me,” Murphy commented. “Most people refrain from doing this sort of thing because of stage fright, or worrying that they’ll look stupid if they go for it. My advice is to stop worrying about what others will think and just do it for the fun of it.”

When it comes to having fun, those producing the show and those attending will have plenty of it.

For ticket information, visit: https://tix.com/ticket-sales/phhs/7097.