NEWBURYPORT — Break out your boomboxes and neon clothing — the '80s are making another comeback.
Newburyport Youth Services will be presenting the musical "Back to the 80's" on April 3, 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the Nock Middle School Auditiorium.
The musical is part of the Newburyport Youth Services after-school clubs and involves a cast of more than 40 kids in sixth through eighth grades. There are 10 lead actors; and since the play takes place in a school setting, the remaining cast members will be playing "typical" high school characters: the jocks, the cool kids, the artistic kids and so forth, according to Director Mike Pirollo.
Others will be behind the scenes working on aspects such as set design and lighting.
Pirollo said the musical is a throwback to movies like "Back to the Future," "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and "The Wedding Singer."
"It's an '80s musical revue of rock 'n' roll and pop music," said Pirollo. "It's a very campy musical."
"Back to the 80's" is the story of a William Ocean High School senior class that graduated in the '80s, as remembered and seen through Corey Palmer's eyes. Looking back on his senior year Palmer, now in his 30s, remembers his essential quest to find a girlfriend during high schol. He eventually falls in love with his neighbor, a girl named Tiffany, who just happens to be in love with "cool" guy Michael. From there a series of high school hijinks occur that lead to a crazy senior year for Corey and his friends.
Pirollo said they chose "Back to the 80's" because he feels it will appeal to many different generations.
"It really kind of applies to what kids are listening to like pop music and dance music," said Pirollo. "They sing these songs and parents have grown up with the songs. It will appeal to many different generations, it is music they can relate to."
Members of the cast and production include: Victoria Allman, Kaylee Raymond, Madeline Quimby, Ghage Lay, Jennie Nelson, Molly Stanton, Allie Armour, Marisa Standley, Amalia Mendoza, Maggie McCool, Christian Doyle, Madeline Knowlton, Tom Bailly, Sam Day, Julia Chatfield, Abigail Comeau, Alex Losh, Dylan Wack, Felicia Boschetto, Caroline Kipp, Colin Sarff, Celine Sanborn, Jenna Whelan, Kyle McIntire, Adlai Faigen, Arianna Taccone, Lizzie Loignon-Gagnon, Catherine Casellini, Ashley Casellini, Erika Rikeman, Rachel Rikeman, E.J. Connor, Connor Glynn, Kate Nelson, Hannah Flynn, McGee Hines, Casey Barlow, Brian O' Connor, Eliza MacDiarmid and Jordan Gudaitis.
Tickets for the musical are $7 for general admission and $5 for students and seniors. For ticket orders or questions contact Deb O'Connor at 978-465-5227 or at deboconnor@comcast.net.
