Originally published Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Franklin High arts alums invited to return to school — and sing
Teaching high-school students the performing arts for 24 years can add up in astonishing ways. Franklin High School teacher Mary Smith estimates...
Seattle Times staff reporter
A musical reunion
Rehearsals: Alumni can rehearse 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. Saturday, at Franklin High School's Little Theater, or 6:30 p.m. before any performance. Call 206-252-6193 for more information.
Performances: "Bye Bye Miss American Pie" will take place April 25-26, May 2-3, at 7:30 p.m. on the Franklin Mainstage, 3013 S. Mount Baker Blvd., Seattle.
Teaching high-school students the performing arts for 24 years can add up in astonishing ways.
Franklin High School teacher Mary Smith estimates she has put about 5,000 students on the stage over the years, singing, dancing and acting.
If all goes as she hopes, some of those students will relive that high-school rite of passage, performing in the musical she wrote, "Bye Bye Miss American Pie."
For this musical reunion, those alumni will be molded into the class of 1985 — the year Smith started teaching at Franklin — and perform Queen's "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions."
"It's nice to be on the stage where you can be a hero for five minutes," said Smith, 64.
Smith is making it easy to participate. Alumni can attend just one rehearsal Saturday or show up one hour early the night of the performance, when they will learn the lyrics, where they stand and their entrance and exit.
Smith and her students have worked to find her old students, e-mailing alumni and getting in touch with parents. She's only heard from about 20 so far, including students who have gone on to careers in the arts. She hopes still to get about 30 a night for the four performances.
Principal Jennifer Wiley said Smith has had an impressive run of musicals at the school and called the reunion aspect "wonderful."
"I respect Mary in great measure," she said. "She's done tremendous things for Franklin."
After years of devoting herself to the production, Smith says it could be her last musical.
In the meantime, she is throwing herself into the musical, sewing costumes, accompanying students on the piano and prepping them for the performance. And she is eager to see her old students.
"You can go back to high school and do your fabulous production that is the one thing you remembered from high school," she said.
Nicole Tsong: 206-464-2150 or ntsong@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Seattle Dance Project and Simple Measures' 'Earth' spins too slowly
Former Giant Magnet director taken by surprise at firing; arts rally scheduled Tuesday
Tlingit heritage helps glass artist Preston Singletary break new ground
A peek inside Preston Singletary's process
The Short List: What our writers love this week

Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Ken Auletta talks about Google with Brier Dudley at the Seattle Central Library.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect
- Prosecutors consider charges against suspect in police shooting
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- Steve Kelley | Hasselbeck gives Seahawks' sagging season a stay of execution
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Bill Clinton meets with Senate Dems on health care
- Trucker dies as big-rig plummets off SF bridge
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- Washington coordinator Nick Holt says his Huskies defense is improving
- Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
258 - House health bill unacceptable to many in Senate
246 - Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
171 - Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
143 - Alleged shooter tied to mosque of 9/11 hijackers
135 - Obama puts heat on Senate to speed health bill
123 - Resolute Fort Hood soldiers ready for return
119 - McGinn more than doubles his lead over Mallahan
100 - Cutaia says replay handled properly on Austin TD
69 - Josh Smith picks UCLA
69
- For 80-year-old Maple Valley man, hoops aren't just a dream
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Pakistani-American cafe, bar owner on verge of being Granite Falls mayor
- Silver Lake restaurant destroyed by fire
- Taste | Ruth Reichl still reigns as queen of America's culinary scene
- All You Can Eat | Fruit flies: thrill to the kill
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect








