Jake Lester is not only the only boy in the production, he is the production’s choreographer, said Rachel Lasky, the Kaua‘i Performing Arts Center instructor and for the KPAC spring production’s musical director.
Lester, a senior at Kaua‘i High School, is joined by a pair of students from the Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School, one student from Kapa‘a High School and five students from Kaua‘i High School who will unveil their collective efforts in “Schoolhouse Rock Live, Jr.,” starting Friday, April 29 at 7 p.m. at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall in Lihu‘e.
“Zoe Brown is the sole Kapa‘a High School participant,” Lasky said. “But they’ve been together working on this program since January. They’ve just one tight family.”
Tickets for the production are available online at showtix4u.com/events/KPAC.
Production of “Schoolhouse Rock Live, Jr.” is through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.
Other show dates are April 30 at 7 p.m., May 1 at 2 p.m., May 6 at 7 p.m., May 7 at 7 p.m. and May 8 at 2 p.m.
“For those who miss the live in-person version, there will be two video, or virtual performances,” Lasky said. “The same admission rates apply for the show on May 13 at 7 p.m. and May 14 at 2 p.m.”
“Schoolhouse Rock Live, Jr.” marks the return of in-person performances for the KPAC staff and students, who were limited to virtual and distance presentations during the two years of the pandemic when a lot of in-person events were curtailed.
“This is a Hawai‘i Department of Education event,” Lasky said. “Face-mask wearing and social distancing are mandatory, although proof of vaccine or the negative test results are not required.”
“Schoolhouse Rock Live, Jr.” according to information from MTI, is described as an energetic musical that follows Tom, a young schoolteacher who is nervous about his first day of teaching. He tries to relax by watching television, and various characters representing facets of his personality emerge from the set to show him how to win his students over with imagination and music.
Lasky noted that with the production schedule, this “Schoolhouse Rock Live, Jr.” takes the nine students to nearly the end of the school year.
KPAC is one of 29 state DOE Student Learning Centers, and is the only SLC on Kaua‘i. The learning centers are designed to expand educational opportunities for students with special talents and interests.
On Kaua‘i, KPAC educates Kaua‘i public school students in grades six through 12 in the understanding of and appreciation for plays and musicals through development of their acting, singing and dancing skills. It also provides students with opportunities to develop life and leadership skills.
Through public performances, KPAC promotes an appreciation of the performing arts for the entire island.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
