Back to the 80's
by Hill Country Arts Foundation (HCAF)

May. 05 - May. 07 (2018)

From the era that brought the world the Rubik's Cube, Max Headroom and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comes the "totally awesome" musical Back to the 80's. In the style of movies such as Back to the Future, Ferris Bueller's Day Off and The Karate Kid, Back to the 80's is a nostalgic romp through the greatest hits of the decade.

Back to the 80's tells the story of the senior class of William Ocean High School, as remembered through the eyes of now thirty-something Corey Palmer. Seventeen-year-old Corey is madly in love with his next-door neighbor, Tiffany Houston, one of the coolest girls in the school, but she is too busy mooning over Michael Feldman, the hottest guy around. Michael and his friends are athletic and good looking – the kind of guys that Corey and his two best friends dream of being. However, while they may not be the coolest guys in school, they are still one up on Feargal McFerrin, III, whose best friend is his computer and who believes the crazy notion that one day, CDs will replace cassette tapes.

Directed by Sarah Derousseau

Music directed by Karen Billingsley

 

 

Auditions May 5 at 1 p.m. and May 7 at 6 p.m.

Directed by Sarah Derousseau
Music Directed by Karen Billingsley

Please bring the sheet music or accompaniment CD for 30 seconds of an 80's song that shows off your voice.

We are not looking just for teenagers!

 

Character Breakdown

Corey Palmer (senior)
The narrator of the show. He is the older version of Corey, now living in the year 2000 and reminiscing about his high school days in the 1980s.
Gender: Male
Age: 25 to 30
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: G3
 
 
Corey Palmer (junior)
The hero of the musical. He is an ordinary, likeable senior in high school that is dealing with typical issues including his love for Tiffany Houston.
Gender: Male
Age: 15 to 18
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
 
 
Alf Bueller
One of Corey Junior’s best friends. A likeable teenager just coming out of childhood and beginning adulthood.
Gender: Male
Age: 15 to 18
Vocal range top: Bb4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
 
 
Kirk Keaton
One of the “nice” boys who is naive and has difficulty with girls.
Gender: Male
Age: 15 to 18
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
 
 
Tiffany Houston
A cute, bubbly teenager from the 80’s, who is innocent, naïve and doe-eyed about boys and love.
Gender: Female
Age: 15 to 18
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: F3
 
 
Cyndi Gibson
A street-smart, boy-wary member of Tiffany’s posse who has a crush on Michael but always settles for other boys.
Gender: Female
Age: 15 to 18
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: A3
 
 
Mel Easton
One of the elite “Cool Girls,” she is the twin sister of Kim who loves to rock out as a backup to the group.
Gender: Female
Age: 15 to 18
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: A3
 
 
Kim Easton
The twin sister of Mel and friend of Cyndi. Kim is a party-loving cheerleader who does not do well in school.
Gender: Female
Age: 15 to 18
Vocal range top: C#5
Vocal range bottom: A3
 
 
Michael Feldman
The coolest guy in the school who has the attention of all the girls. When the girls are not around, he is a mean manipulative oaf who picks on smaller kids.
Gender: Male
Age: 15 to 18
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: D3
 
 
Billy Arnold
A popular, athletic guy who appears tough and is revered yet has little backbone without Michael.
Gender: Male
Age: 15 to 18
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: A3
 
 
Lionel Astley
He is a follower and not quite as cool as the other guys in his posse, but is tolerated by the girls.
Gender: Male
Age: 15 to 18
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
 
 
Huey Jackson
The final guy to round out the group of Michael Feldman’s friends. Not much else to be said – big hair, wears clothes that were cool at the time, but now just look like fluorescent mismatches of colour. Huey is an 80’s tragic – he is the only member of the cool group to go as far as wearing a white Michael Jackson glove – as was the fashion of the day!
Gender: Male
Age: 15 to 18
 
 
Feargal Mcferrin
The sensitive school nerd. He is supremely intelligent, but his visions of life in the new millenium are always mocked.
Gender: Male
Age: 15 to 18
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: E3
 
 
Eileen Reagan
The new arrival, charming and full of life and vitality. She is a dreamer who longs for the day when she has a boyfriend.
Gender: Female
Age: 15 to 18
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: G3
 
 
Laura Wilde
Debbie’s best friend. She is awkward and has trouble with boys, but is a nice girl.
Gender: Female
Age: 15 to 18
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: F3
 
 
Debbie Fox
Laura’s competitive best friend. She lies about her fantasy relationships with celebrities.
Gender: Female
Age: 15 to 18
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: F3
 
 
Ms. Sheena Brannigan
An outwardly reserved and slightly conservative Senior Students Coordinator who has a wild past.
Gender: Female
Age: 30 to 45
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: F3
 
 
Mr. Stevie Cocker
The Deputy Principal and math teacher at William Ocean High School who has strong feelings for Sheena.
Gender: Male
Age: 30 to 45
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: D3
 
Ensemble
Boys; Girls; Backup Vocalists