Students at Layton High School will present a musical they believe has historical content, yet one that features costumes that can be found around the house.
The students are doing the Utah high school premiere of "The Wedding Singer," based on the 1998 Adam Sandler/Drew Barrymore film that paid homage to the music, dance moves and overstated fashions of the 1980s.
"I think the thing I like most about it is, it's a period these kids think is ancient history, but for their parents, it's right on," said Dennis Ferrin, drama teacher and director of this, his 33rd production for Layton High. "They (the students) have been able to raid their parents' closets for costumes."
Ferrin books his shows through a New York City agency and over the years has made himself quite a pest to his assigned agent.
"I just keep hounding her until we get it, so we're the first," he said. "People will ask all the time, 'Well, why aren't you doing "The King and I" or "Oklahoma?" ' I just say, 'Because everybody else is.' I like our kids to have a chance to do some different things."
Ferrin uses the opportunity presented by each show to teach students about different places and time periods.
"We've talked about a lot of important things that happened in the '80s," he said.
Those events included the release of Michael Jackson's "Thriller," the fall of the Berlin Wall, and a former Hollywood star moving into the Oval Office.
The education extends to interested members of the public. A free symposium is offered prior to each performance for those who have requested a space when they ordered tickets, said production coordinator Keri Fawcett.
"It includes an opportunity to meet some of the actors in the show, have a backstage tour, and attend an interactive presentation on the history of 'The Wedding Singer' and the history of the '80s," Fawcett said. "And there are free refreshments -- for this show, it's wedding cake."
Symposiums begin at 5:30 p.m. for evening shows and at 12:30 p.m. for the matinee.
"I think audiences will see it as a period they have lived through that was crazy but a lot of fun," Ferrin said of the show.
"I think the show has a really sweet quality to it. It's about relationships. All of the couples you see in the show are struggling in their relationships, but in the end it all comes around and it's OK."
PREVIEW
- WHAT: 'The Wedding Singer'
- WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday-March 13 and 17-30; 2 p.m. show March 13
- WHERE: Layton High School, 440 Wasatch Drive, Layton
- TICKETS: $8, $7/seniors, $6/students and children. (801) 402-4888 or dferrin@dsdmail.net.
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