Students bring disco fever to Walpole

Jack is on top of world when he suddenly experiences buyer's remorse.

He has sold himself for fame and glory only to discover that disco stardom at the cost of his friends and girl is not a joyous heaven, but a lonely, soulless hell.

Luke Witherell, the Walpole High freshman who plays the lead character in the school's upcoming production of "Disco Inferno," says Jack is a sympathetic character whose troubles anyone can relate to.

"He's not like a character," Witherell said at rehearsal yesterday. "He's like a real person."

Audiences will get a chance to meet Jack, his friends and the characters who lead him down the primrose path to perdition next weekend.

The Walpole High School Theater Club and orchestra will stage Justin Sepple's British hit musical "Disco Inferno" on March 14 at 7:30 p.m. and March 15 at 3 p.m. in the school auditorium. Prices are $8 for students and senior citizens and $10 for regular admission. Tickets can be purchased at the high school's front office.

Tweaked slightly for an American audience, the musical tells the story of a 70s "disco hanger-on," who makes a deal the femme fatale Lady Marmalade, the devil's right-hand gal, to fulfill his fantasies of becoming an international success, said director Jim D'Attilio. Things fall apart for Jack, however, when he loses all his friends and the love of his life.

"And it's all disco," added Witherell, chuckling.

The musical has been a mainstay on London stages for many years, said D'Attilio. He said the show first caught his eye because he thought it would be funny, though he acknowledges he's never seen it performed live.

"I lived through the 70s so I thought that was close enough," said D'Attilio, who has been advising the theatre club for 15 years. "I didn't listen to disco but I couldn't avoid it."

Somewhat surprising to D'Attilio, however, was that a lot of his performers have taken to the music, as 70s culture has enjoyed a bit of a renaissance with the young.

"I've always been interested in past generations," said Luke Young, a junior who plays Jack's boss, Duke. Young, who attended drama schools in his native Ireland, explained he's listened to David Bowie and watched Saturday Night Fever growing up when other kids his age preferred the latest music and movies.

The students started rehearsing in January and school cancellations have pushed back practices, D'Attilio said, but one of the biggest challenges has been coordinating the sheer number of performers involved.

At rehearsal yesterday, D'Attilio shouted direction to ensemble actors about how to walk in the background as more than 50 others students sat or stood on the stage under a rented disco ball - some experimenting with funkadelic clothing while most opted for hooded sweatshirts.

"We wanted a show that had numerous leads in it," D'Attilio said, noting how popular the drama club has become. "If a hundred show up, we'll find a way to stick a hundred of them up there."

Leading such a large group has become difficult, said vocal director Lynda Maccini Pavloff, but the fact that the kids were already familiar with the numerous songs made things a little easier.

Witherell, who takes on the lead as a freshman, said he wasn't "big on disco" but he enjoys the show's 30 songs - most of which come from the work of proven and enduring song writers like Elton John.

"If you like complaining about the 70s a lot," he said, "this has a good soundtrack."

D'Attilio, who teaches at Bird Middle School, said the drama club has seen an influx of underclassmen as the graduation of a throng of experienced thespians last years left a void.

Witherell was chosen, however, he said, because his vocal range is perfect for the part.

"We don't do it by seniority," he said. "He really fit the role. He could sing the role."

Keith Ferguson can be reached 508-668-0243 x14 or via email at keith@walpoletimes.com walpoletimes.com>.