The Poplar Bluff High School Drama Club is performing a ghostly whodunit this week: “Goosebumps The Musical: Phantom of the Auditorium” opens Thursday night at the Kay M. Porter Theater.
The story surrounds a cursed middle school play whose original lead actor vanished on opening night. When students Brooke, Zeke and Brian investigate sabotage on set, they discover their school is haunted by more than ghost stories.
Director Nicholas McDaniel found the play while researching adaptations of the popular “Goosebumps” books by R. L. Stine.
“I listened to it and fell in love with it,” he said, being drawn to its “variety of musical styles” and “lighthearted spookiness.”
The cast, many of whom are Drama Club veterans, have enjoyed the script for its plot twists and memorable characters.
According to Aaryn Johnson, who plays jealous understudy Tina, “... there’s so many different teasers. You’re not really sure who it is until the end.”
Gabriel Burke, the actor behind creepy custodian Emil, agreed.
“I think it’s something fun and interesting to do, something different,” Burke said.
The production is also something different for first-time lead Drew Noble, who plays Zeke. He noted his personality matches his “very spontaneous and out-there” role and made the learning curve easier.
“This is my first time in a lead role, so there were a lot of lines to learn. It was overwhelming at first, but I got it,” he said.
For Gabby Rushing, the show’s leading lady, the camaraderie backstage is what created a standout show.
“I feel like we got through everything really fast,” she said in regards to learning lines and choreography. “I feel like this is an amazing cast.”
“(Acting) is my favorite thing ever in the whole, entire world,” she continued. “It’s just nice to be onstage with my friends doing something I love.”
Adding to the story’s atmosphere, the crew utilizes the entire theater from upstage to balcony using lights, sound cues and choreography. Assistant stage manager Destiny Jackson directs the curtains while stage manager Macey Odom keeps props and sets moving.
“It’s a good balance, there’s a lot of curtain work on our side, so I think the energy is evenly dispersed,” Jackson said.
Co-tech managers Sophia French and Patience Cochran were also confident in the final product.
“As the person who does the lights I think the lights look really good,” French said.
“I love it when the microphones work,” Cochran joked.
“Goosebumps The Musical” performances are 7 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $5 at the door.
The Kay M. Porter Theater is located at 1302 Victory Lane on the Poplar Bluff Middle School campus.