Lent School presents groovy surfer play – Wipeout!’

Are you a surfer (or ho-dad), looking for good time? Come out and enjoy this fun-in-the-sun musical, presented on March 19 and 20 …

Can these kids help save the Surf Shack from greedy developers? Come see this musical, that tells the story.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
Even if you aren’t a surfer, you’ll enjoy the new musical being presented by Lent School called Wipeout! It will be playing on their stage on March 19 and 20.

“Our musical uses the talents of an all-star cast composed of 23 students from 5th through 8th grades,” said Rebecca Rothery, who occupies a triple role as the school’s eighth grade language arts teacher, the social studies teacher, and the drama director.

“The musical features students singing and dancing as they reveal life on sunny Avalon Beach,” Rothery explained, as the cast rehearsed a musical number. “This surf musical takes us back to a simpler time when life was groovy, the music was hip, and the world was about to change. It’s about a group of plucky teens who get together to save Mom and Pop’s ‘Surf Shack’ from being destroyed by a greedy, heartless land developer.”

In addition to the cast, five students serve as the show’s technical stage crew.

Show supports unique school program
“Lent School is the only elementary school with a dramatic program,” Rothery told us. “We have a music teacher, and a theater and an art teacher here.”

She added that many organizations have donated time and materials. “Some of our set design and props came from Michael Curry of Michael Curry Design – the man who won a Tony Award for ‘The Lion King’, and who has done work with Cirque du Soleil. We’ve had a lot of support generated to support these kids.”

Come hear The Verbtones live, as they rock out with surfer favorites before the March 20 show. Image used with permission

The Verbtones play before March 20 show
Pre-show entertainment is planned for both days. And, we learned that the fabulous Verbtones will be the ones to kick things off at the Friday, March 20 performance, at 6:00 p.m.

Formed in 2001, this band promotes their performances as “Showcase haunting, spine-chilling, vintage-yet-modern surf melodies for ho-dads and grimmys in Oregon and beyond”. They have a true love for today’s surf music – and “a respect for their surfin’ forefathers has influenced their unique sound, providing a time capsule from yesterday that somehow seems right for today.” To visit the band’s website, CLICK HERE.

Dinner and a show
During the pre-show entertainment, pizza and other refreshments will be available for sale as a part of the Lent Theater Program fundraising efforts, Rothery said.

The Lent SUN Community School proudly presents its musical comedy, Wipeout!, on Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20 from 6:00 until 8:30 pm.

Admission to the performance is $3.00 at the door. Admission for children 12 years & younger is $1.00. Lent School is located at 5105 SE 97th Avenue (between SE Harold Street and SE Holgate Boulevard).

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