Compromise sought for California play
CALIFORNIA — The California Area High School drama club’s spring musical has caused some concern in the community because one of the lead characters commits suicide.
One resident, Shirley Tichnor, asked the school board if the play could be changed or canceled. A student at the high school committed suicide less than two years ago and some feel the musical is upsetting to students and others in the district.
Ben Thomas, a high school senior who has one of the leads in the play, says the cast has been working hard on the production for months and is set to perform it at the end of February.
“We’ve already put in so much work and so much effort already,” Thomas said.
Thomas said he initially didn’t want to do the play, but after reading it, realized it is really about undying love. Thomas said the word suicide is only mentioned once and it is his character that says it. Thomas said changing that wouldn’t change the meaning of the play.
The musical, “Zombie Prom,” is listed by publisher Samuel l. French as a romantic comedy set in the nuclear 1950s, with themes including adolescence, betrayal, current events, death, friendship and love. There are no special cautions listed and French says it is appropriate for all audiences and performances groups from high school through professional theater. According to French’s website, 16 productions of “Zombie Prom” are currently scheduled, 15 of them by high schools from New Hampshire to Alaska. The California Area High School production is scheduled to run from Feb. 28-March 2.
According to the synopsis of the play at www.allmusicals.com, the main male character, Jonny Warner commits suicide by hurling himself into a nuclear power plant. He returns from the dead, determined to take his girl to the prom.
District Superintendent Brian Jackson said the district is looking into an alternative script that recently became available that does not involve the suicide and has situations more suitable to a high school cast and audience. Jackson said the administration is working on the situation along with the play’s director and cast.
“The students are going to be an active part of it. It is their play, it is their club,” Jackson said.
In other matters, the board voted to hire property assessment consultant Gary Bodnar at a rate not to exceed $660 to evaluate the Croftcheck property in West Brownsville adjacent to the Walmart development. The assessment of the property has been appealed. The cost of the consultant will be shared with West Brownsville Borough.
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