Fifteen Palo Alto High School students will be taking part in a teen musical from June 12-28 at Southside Theater in San Francisco, Calif.
The indie-rock musical, Body of Water, is unique in its scripting as it is a non-traditional take on musicals, according to senior Aaron Slipper.
“Body of Water is ‘Breakfast Club’ meets ‘Lord of the Flies’ meets ‘Schindler’s List’,” Slipper said. “It is an exciting and very original musical. Or, should I say anti-musical. That’s how it was first described to me. You’ll see no split leaps or chorus line numbers. It is highly dystopian.”
The script, written by Tony Kienitz, features a group of teens hiding to escape from ideological extremists who have seized their families. According to Slipper, the music by Jim Walker as well as the choreography will be most memorable for the audience.
“There is superb choreography, dancing and some really memorable and somewhat shocking songs,” Slipper said.
The cast actors of the musical is completely composed of teenagers, who have continuously workshopped the play for over a year.
“I am joined by 14 peers from Paly and others from Westmont [High School], [Henry M.] Gunn [High School] and Los Altos [High School],” Slipper said. “It has been an intimate and highly enjoyable process. We have been together to witness the creation, rehearsal and, soon, performance of this unique work of art.”
The 15 Paly students along with other teens from the Bay Area will perform nine times over the course of 17 days from June 12-28 at the Southside Theater. The schedule as well as tickets are available here.