Point Loma High School’s Musical Theatre Program is poised for mixed emotion as it prepares to kick off the world premiere of its original musical, “Too Hot to Handle – the Radioactive Musical” on Friday, May 18 at 7 p.m.
Set to run through June 2, the production marks both the theatre department’s record-breaking 31st annual original high school production and the final showcase talent of director Larry Zeiger.
Produced as part of the musical theater program’s unique curriculum, San Diego’s Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance Company, “Too Hot to Handle” was written, directed, choreographed, designed and produced by more than 100 juniors and seniors at Point Loma High.
The musical centers around two local musical theater playwrights who encounter a series of hilarious mishaps during their countless pursuits to get their musical produced. In one instance, as a result of a medical procedure performed earlier in the day, Harry, one of the main characters, is arrested by Homeland Security Department officials while trying to board a plane for New York.
As the story goes, Harry attempts to ease concerns by professing that he’s only “slightly radioactive,” which, of course. makes matters worse and more hilarious for the audience.
“He winds up on a plane, but it’s not to New York, it’s to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba,” chuckled Zeiger. “It’s very political and it has a surprise ending. It’s got a dynamic cast “¦ beautiful costumes, a great script ” it’s very clever.”
It will be Zeiger’s final production before he retires after 33 years as an English and visual performing arts teacher at Point Loma High.
During his tenure as the PLHS Musical Theatre Program director, the program received several awards for its unique curriculum along with various other recognitions from local and national media outlets.
Adding to the spirit of the engagement, Point Loma alumni will be on hand to celebrate and mark the evening.
“We also have alumni appearances in which they will actually perform onstage,” Zeiger said.
Zeiger said some other familiar faces ” albeit not the real ones ” will be making an appearance during the show.
“John Edwards, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, the Governor [Schwarzenegger] “” they’re all making an appearance,” he chuckled.
The production will be held at the Larry Zeiger Performing Arts Center on campus.
Reservations can be made by
e-mail at [email protected], or by calling Zeiger at (619) 223-3121,
ext. 4854.
