Students protest cancellation of spring musical
By Piersen Maass
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WATERTOWN, Wisconsin (WKOW) — Watertown High School students are protesting after the school board decided to cancel the spring musical, “Flashdance.”
Interim Superintendent James Fell pulled the plug, saying the production could be risqué.
“I had heard some, you know, through some board members, you know, people expressing concern by just the very nature of the title,” Fell said.
His decision prompted protests.
The film “Flashdance” is rated R, but students were planning to perform the “high school version” of the musical, which is modified for a younger audience.
The musical director and high school principal approved the production before the superintendent stepped in.
Now, the original musical director has decided not to take part in the new production.
“The fact that our director is not going to be able to make his usual amazing show is extremely heartbreaking,” student Sophia Tolfa said. “I think we’re all just feeling a little defeated right now, but it’s also lighting a fire in us.”
The school is now looking for a new director and a different musical for the spring.
Earlier this year, Watertown High School made national headlines after the school board voted to ban a piece of instrumental music because of its ties to LGBTQ history.
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