'Fame' Comes to Mayfield High School

It would seem a natural fit for a high school to perform a show about characters who are high school students, but the current production of Fame, which opens Thursday, is a first for Mayfield High School.

"This school has done just about every other show," said director Larry Braun.

Fame, which follows students at the New York High School of Performing Arts as they pursue their dreams as actors, dancers and musicians, opens with a preview at 7 p.m. Thursday and seniors living within the district are invited to attend. Other performances will be at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors.

Braun said members of the cast of 53, which includes student actors and orchestra performers, can relate to the musical's story.

"It focuses on the same issues they're dealing with today," he said. "These guys had to do the same thing just to make it into this production."

Although there was a 2009 remake of the 1980 movie, Braun said that story was a bit different and students still knew the music from the show better than the story itself.

Maria Paulett said the role of Carmen is perfect for her because she can relate to the character, who is from Latin America. She moved here from Colombia in the seventh grade.

"I figured I can do this," Paulett said.

Paulett, who said she's "pretty much grown up" on stage, including four years in the show choir, said Fame has been her favorite show because the characters are high school students.

"We are playing what we are," she said. "I think it's kind of relatable to everyone."

Chelsea Beck, who plays one of the leads in Serena Katz, said she likes Fame because it gives people the chance to share the spotlight.

"There are so many different leads," she said.

Beck also enjoys the '80s, particularly songs such as the Buggles' Video Killed the Radio Star.

"I really like how music changed in the '80s," she said.

Her character's love interest, Nick Piazza, is played by Jarahme Pollock.

"It's a different kind of role for me," Pollock said. "Usually I play a nice character. He's kind of pompous."

Corey Smith plays another pivotal role in Tyrone Jackson, who provides much of the comedic element.

Smith, who wasn't familiar with the play, said he loves the dancing. But his favorite part of being in the musical is the interaction with other cast members.

"I like how you become a family on the production," he said.