With every chord played and every note sung, Westfield High School teachers Mark Ewing, Jennifer Hasler-Troutman and Kurt Frederick hope students learn and community members old enough to remember will reminisce about the past and how music intertwined one of the most turbulent and influential periods in American history.
At 7 p.m. Thursday, WHS will reenact the 60s with a rock concert “The Times They Are a-Changin’” in the high school auditorium.
The idea was inspired by the annual American Pie concert put on by Columbus North’s history teacher Ed Niespodziani. The show has been a sell out every year since it started more than 25 years ago. Ewing, Hasler-Troutman and Frederick worked with Niespodziani to create Westfield’s own version to mesh education and the history of rock and roll.
“We truly are providing a living history lesson for the community. American Pie provides the ultimate link between history and rock and roll,” Ewing said. “It’s a dream come true… I get to provide a history lesson for the entire community about the cultural impact rock and roll has and has had since 1950.”
The show involves 50 WHS students.
“We’re capturing kids that might not have another place,” Frederick said. “I get to know kids I’ve never had in class.”
In addition to the music, there will be newscasts from the 60s performed by narrators and personal stories shared from Westfield’s own citizens who grew up in the 60s and experienced the wild decade first hand.
“It’s an immersive experience. We want the people in the audience to believe they are at a live performance in that time,” Frederick said.
American Pie begins in 1959 with Buddy Holly, portrayed by junior Tyler Robbins. As rock and roll begins to go away, the music reverts backs to the early 1950s with pop and simple lyrics. Ewing said the show builds through the decade “as rock gets its kick back” and ends with 1969’s Woodstock Music Festival.
“This is going to be so cool. I’m so excited,” Robbins said after rehearsing Holly’s “Oh, Boy!”
After placing in the top three at WHS’ Thursday Night Live contest, Nicole Gruszka auditioned for the show. She sang a Janis Joplin song but was cast as Aretha Franklin and will perform “Respect.”
“I’m my own worst enemy. It’s stressful because I’m afraid I won’t do it justice,” she said.
Sophomore Blake Rice has two roles in the show – Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendricks. Rice will perform “The Times They Are a-Changin’” and Hendricks’ “Star Spangled Banner” and “Voodoo Child.” Portraying two musical geniuses is challenging and Rice said Dylan’s lyrics are tough while learning Hendrick’s handwork is difficult.
“I do feel like I’ve got big shoes to fill,” he said. “I really always loved ’60’s music. I get to show my love to play my instruments to fellow students and the community.”
Rice and others feel the pressure of making Thursday’s show a success as they hope to create an annual concert the community and students look forward to each year.
“It’s a pretty important thing to do because if we are really successful with the show, we’ll have a greater turnout in the coming years,” he said. “I hope to do it two more times.”
Tickets for “The Times They Are a-Changin’” are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. For more information, follow @WHSAmericanPie on Twitter or join the WHS AmericanPie Facebook page.
