Hobbton High School students and drama teacher Angela Martin are busy rocking around the clock as they prepare to bring Happy Days to life on the theater stage.
“We always do a winter play and a spring musical,” shared Martin about the school’s latest venture. “This is our first time doing Happy Days.”
Since it is a new musical for Hobbton, rehearsals are already well under way. “We have been rehearsing for about three weeks now,”noted Martin, “and so far, rehearsals are going very well. We will probably spend about seven to eight weeks total in practice.”
According to the high school teacher, about 30 students are involved in the production, meeting every day after school to rehearse for two hours.
“All ages are represented in the play, ninth through 12th grade,” said Martin. “There are a lot of seniors in it and students who have been featured in many other productions.”
“Jarrett Bennett will be playing the Fonz. He was Seaweed in Hairspray,” noted Martin. “Regan Chavez, our reigning Miss Hobbton, will also be in it, playing Pinky Tuscadero. Caitlin Joyner, a former Miss Hobbton, is also in it. I could name so many. There is really a lot of very talented students involved.”
All of the students’ hard work in rehearsals will pay off when they perform for the community on Friday, June 7 at 7 p.m.
However, on Thursday, June 6, the students will have a very special dress rehearsal.”We will perform it for the elementary students in the county the day before as kind of a preview show just for them,” shared Martin. “It is something we always like to do.”
Expecting around 100 people to attend the performance, Martin is hoping for an even larger crowd and encourages everyone to come out and join in the fun.
Set in the 1950s, the Happy Days musical is based on the popular TV show, and Martin believes that “everyone — young people and older people — will enjoy it. It’s a great family show.”
“It is a great opportunity for the community to get to see the students here at Hobbton highlighted and see what they can do because they are so talented,” continued Martin. “It also benefits the students in that they get the chance to perform which they love to do and it gives them the opportunity to shine on stage.”
Tickets will be available for purchase at the door for $5. Admission is free to children younger than Kindergarten age. The school’s box office will open an hour before show time at 6 p.m.
According to Martin, the money raised from the ticket sales will go toward paying for the musical’s rights. “The rights cost well over $1,000,” noted Martin, “and that’s not including costumes and all.”
Martin also received a Bright Ideas grant this past summer that helps in covering the cost of rights as well.
“We are not looking to make a profit with this,” said Martin. “It is for the community and we hope everyone can come out to see it.”
Lauren Williams can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 117 or via email at lwilliams@civitasmedia.com.
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