What: Appleton East High School presents “Crush”
When: 7 p.m. April 23 and 24; and 2 and 7 p.m. April 25
Where: Appleton East High School Auditorium, 2121 E. Emmers Drive, Appleton
Admission: $10 adults, $5 students and seniors at AEPatriotPlayers.org, 920-852-5400, ext. 52131, or at the door one hour before showtime.
Background: Pin Cushion High School Drama has reached its final-ever production: Our Town. Despite never having once gotten a part, Bark Melon is convinced that he’s going to get a lead. But his audition goes awry when Aspen, the new student, enters alongside a chorus of malevolent voices. Only Bark can hear (and later see) that Aspen is not what she seems, that she’s actually the lead body of a six-bodied alien creature. Soon, strange things start to happen. Giant hearts appear on the billboards leading into town, and love-struck teenagers fall into inexplicable comas. Not a single person believes Bark when he says that Aspen is responsible for these out-of-this-world mysteries. Bark’s attempt to stop the aliens himself ends disastrously. He’ll need the help of the entire town in order to stop this alien invasion and their plan to take over the whole world, one heart at a time.
What they’re saying: “This show feels especially authentic because we get to play high schoolers just like us,” said senior Brenna Rades. “That makes it really fun to bring our own experiences into the story.”
“Some of the best moments have been bonding with the cast offstage and then seeing all our hard work come together for an audience,” said junior Lyrriq Martinez.
Take-home message: “Through its mix of humor, mystery, and heartfelt moments, the production highlights how love can look different for everyone, yet still holds the same importance,” said senior Isaac Moscinski. “The story encourages audiences to reflect on the relationships in their own lives and recognize the value of empathy, acceptance, and understanding. Ultimately, ‘Crush’ delivers a message that feels especially relevant for today’s audiences: that even in the face of confusion, isolation, or the unknown, connection is what brings people together and what helps them overcome it.”
Provided by Kevin Rades
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Appleton East High School students ready for performance of ‘Crush’
Reporting by Appleton Post-Crescent / Appleton Post-Crescent
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
