“Dead Serious…About Life,” the teenage musical that touches on a variety of topics teens face today, is returning to Highland County for performances Nov. 5 and 6 at Lynchburg-Clay High School.
David Myers, an associate minister at the Pricetown Church of Christ who has been working with the Lynchburg First Church of Christ to bring the musical to LCHS, said the play was originally supposed to be held at the Fairfield Local Schools, but there was some type of problem so the play has been moved to Lynchburg-Clay where there will be a 6 p.m. performance on Saturday, Nov. 5 and a 3 p.m. performance on Sunday, Nov. 6.
“It’s really good. What happens a lot of times is because it’s very controversial, people are expecting a Christian type show, but the first half is pretty rough with drinking, drugs, suicide and things like that,” Myers said. “Some people have left after the first half, but they miss the impactful part about kids starting to question their own paths.”
The musical will be performed by a group called Mishpachah, Inc., based out of Mason. Mishpachah, Inc. is an auditioned group of high school students from the Cincinnati area who participate in a community drama/music group. “Mish” as they are called, is known for their radical and exceptional style and choreography.
In the 2016-17 performance year, the group consists of 30 students representing 22 different school districts and 23 different churches. The cast includes Lynchburg-Clay junior Carlee Smaltz, according to Meyers.
Since June of 1989, the group has been performing the musical dealing with many issues that teens have to face every day. The underlying subject matter is teenage suicide. The group wrote the script.
“‘Dead Serious…About Life’ is a musical written to appeal to teenagers. It is upfront. It is blunt. It is life,” a news release from Mishpachah Inc. said. “The story begins at Todd and Stephanie’s house. Mom and Dad have left for the weekend, so let the party begin. Throughout the course of the evening you will meet the characters with their different personalities, their numerous problems and their view about their lives. ‘Dead Serious’ will expose us all to the issues of abortion, alcohol, drugs, religion, sex and suicide; issues that all too often we don’t want to talk about or face. Well, hang onto your seat ‘cause this musical cuts it wide open. It will make you laugh, cry, hurt, fear and feel. But most of all ‘Dead Serious’ will make you take a second look at life.
In the past, the group has performed at various churches, civic organizations, youth events, the Cincinnati Convention Center, church camps, Eden Park, shopping malls, high schools, Six Flags Over Mid America, Kings Island and Disney World. It has toured to Florida, Arkansas, Colorado, Texas, North and South Carolina, Indiana, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, New York, Virginia, Georgia, Wisconsin, Nebraska, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Alabama and Ohio.
For ticket information about the performance at Lynchburg-Clay High School, visit www.mish-inc.com or call 513-459-7268. Tickets are $6 in advance and $7 at the door. Tickets will only be presold until Thursday, Nov. 3 at 5 p.m.
Reach Jeff Gilliland at 937-402-2522 or on Twitter @13gillilandj.
