Tickets are on sale for the popular musical “Fame,” taking place at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center from Friday, Apr. 4 through Sunday, Apr. 6. The performance is a presentation of Long Beach Renaissance High School for the Arts.
“Fame” is the story of eight talented high school students at New York City’s High School for the Performing Arts. From the initial auditions through graduation, each character grows and gains independence while learning what it means to be a creative artist in modern society. Its ensemble cast also struggles with distinctly non-musical problems such as illiteracy and the personal traumas of adolescent love.
In 1980, Irene Cara starred in the movie “Fame” and topped the charts with its signature song. The popular movie’s focus on aspiring students paved the way for the development of arts high schools throughout the nation. Later, in the same decade, Debbie Allen was featured in the long running television series “Fame.”
In September 2004, Long Beach Unified School District launched the vision of Maggie Webster, the current high school superintendent, and opened Long Beach Renaissance High School for the Arts. The curriculum is based on performing and visual arts and offers students an integrated arts education thematically aligned with academic courses to encourage them to set goals for college or arts careers.
“The Long Beach Renaissance High School for the Arts is a respected institution whose talented students are certain to entertain the audience with their acting and musical abilities,” said Dan Spellens, director of Theaters and Entertainment for the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center. “We are always pleased to offer performances to the community that showcase fresh young talent such as this.”
“Fame” dates and times are Friday, Apr. 4 and Saturday, Apr. 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Apr. 6 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $15 for students and $20 for adults and are available through TicketMaster and the Long Beach Performing Arts Center box office.
The Performing Arts Center is located at 300 East Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach. For more information, call (562) 436-3636 or visit www.longbeachcc.com.
