Full Synopsis

Full Synopsis

ACT ONE

This show is a revue of songs and stories set in the framework of a high school musical group reuniting many years later in front of a group of their peers.

Mark warms up the audience with some humorous introductory remarks and then brings the rest of the cast on stage. Though they appear nervous, they are clearly a group of talented and versatile performers ("Count Your Blessings").

Debbie introduces the group and remembers the days when they were all in high school together and gave recitals. The next number features Mark and Mary playing a variety of their instruments ("Czardas"). Upon completion, each member of the group gives a bit of detailed historical and technical information about the different instruments that they play: Mark and the piano, Mary and the violin, Debbie and the drums, and Mike on the synthesizer.

Next, the Oil City Symphony plays the song for which they won the Melody League Award ("Anvil Chorus"). In the following number, the group switches up their instruments and rocks out a bit ("In-a-gadda-da-vida"). Debbie then gets up from her drums and moves downstage to sing an 'old favorite' ("Ohio Afternoon"). The rest of the group backs her up. They then transition to a cute group number ("Double Date").

To loosen everyone up, Debbie leads the group - and the audience - in a childhood favorite song and dance! ("The Hokey Pokey"). With everyone all shook out, the group goes back to their instruments. Each person proceeds to tell his/her story of how he/she became a professional musician.


After this stroll down memory lane, Mike quickly steps forward to remind them all that their next song was one they found in their music teacher's piano bench. It's about a party that a bunch of animals had ("Beaver Ball at the Bug Club"). They all jump in for a riotous Polka ("Beehive Polka"). To conclude, they decide to treat the audience to a musical 'smorgasbord' ("Patriotic Fantasy").

ACT TWO

Mark and Mike enter from opposite sides of the stage and go to their instruments - Mark to the piano, Mike to the synthesizer. With a bit of a flourish, they play a dueling piano piece ("Dizzy Fingers").



Mary and Debbie then enter. The group does a number that is interspersed with stories about their lives. We learn quirky facts about them including the fact that Mark is currently the Minister at Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church, that Debbie's hobbies include needlepoint and jazz-aerobics, that Mary is an avid fan of Roller Derby, and that Mike's secret ambition is to play the Mexican Hat Dance at the Chicago White Sox stadium ("Getting Acquainted"). Mike then reads a poem and sings a romantic song ("Iris"). Mary and Debbie respond with a duet about how we would be nothing with out love in our lives ("The End of the World").

Debbie steps forward and confesses that the entire cast wouldn't be anything if it weren't for music. She insists they owe it all to a woman who happens to be in the audience: their music teacher, Miss Hazel Reeves. Debbie leads the audience in applause and the four actors celebrate and honor the woman who taught them so much ("Dear Miss Reeves"). They then play one of her favorite songs ("Coaxing the Ivories").

Next, the four of them are ready to do a song they are especially proud of...because it's an original! It brings back memories of a special time they all shared together on the high school Mixed Chorus trip to Knott's' Berry Farm ("Bus Ride").



Eventually they all join in for a more sentimental song ("By the Sweet By and By"). Before finishing off the evening for good, they remind the audience that there is punch and cookies out in the lobby. Sure, they see a lot of old faces out there, but they'd also like to meet all the new ones, too. They also want to thank some very special people: Mr. LaVerne and the audiovisual club, and their very own mothers and fathers who waited in the car while they took music lessons. They conclude the performance with a high-energy number ("My Old Kentucky Rock and Roll Home").


Following the bows, an encore number is performed to thank the place that made all their musical dreams come true, Oil City High ("Oil City Finale").