The End: An Original Musical
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Lexi Weakley
Writing and composing this production has been a passion of mine for several years. The show portrays social issues facing our teens today, including struggles about sexuality, trouble at home, body image, feeling socially ostracized and more. I was inspired by the struggles each of us face, some privately and some more publicly. We find the strength to overcome our personal battles when we feel the acceptance and support of our friends, community and loved ones. The impact we have on each other, positively and negatively, is the message behind my play.
"Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end." -John Lennon
Cast: Sophie (Sami Harnick), Emma (Sam Rosenberg), Livvy (Rachel Nelson), Maddie (Chelsea Rifkin), Principal Riner (Maddi Lasker), Kyle (Noah Davis) Aaron (Nic Sylvester); Crew: Toby Hirth, Noah Weiss, and Amanda Meyers
The Acorn: Student-written musical reflects on teens' personal journeys and issues
| May 18, 2017
By Sylvie Belmond
belmond@theacorn.com
Just in time for the conclusion of the school year, Calabasas High School will present “The End,” an original musical written, composed and directed by CHS junior Alexis “Lexi” Weakley.
Performances will take place this weekend at the school’s performing arts education center.
“The End” looks at all aspects of high school life and being a teenager, including bullying, eating disorders, depression, sexual identity and suicide.
“The story itself is near and dear to my heart. It’s about high school students going through their own obstacles and journey. I think it’s a message that a lot of people need to hear,” said Lexi, 17, who has been working on the script and score for nearly two years.
The musical relays the search for strength in hard times and the importance of friendship. The ensemble is cast made up of CHS theater students who portray six teens and a school principal. Each character deals with their own issues, which are spotlighted by a song, and the plot shows how their experiences are intertwined.
“It’s really a very timely musical,” said Craig Weakley, Lexi’s dad. “It’s a look at all the things that high school kids are going through today, and at the end it leaves the audience questioning how things can be made better and how kids can open their eyes to be accepting of one another.”
A singer, pianist and guitarist, Lexi has performed in many community and school theater programs. She’s a member of the CHS choir and Bare Rhythm, an all-female a cappella group. She aspires to become a professional songwriter and composer.
Through the play she aims to convey a message of understanding and hope.
“I wanted to make it something where people can see it and feel heard,” she said. “It’s really a story about everyone has their thing and we all go through enough to get under people’s skin. We have enough going on in our lives that we should help other people. We’re there to support others, not to make their lives even harder.”
The cast recorded an album featuring the songs in the show, and a video recording will be made of the performance so the message can be shared with a wider audience.
The actors in “The End” are Samantha Harnick, Samantha Rosenberg, Chelsea Rifkin, Maddi Lasker, Rachel Nelson, Nic Sylvester and Noah Davis.
Performances will take place at 2 and 7 p.m. Sat., May 20 and at 2 p.m. Sun. May 21 in the school’s black box theater.
Tickets are $12 for general admission and $10 for students.
Original Cast Album
