A near-capacity audience watched Valparaiso High School’s talented students strut their stuff in the annual April Antics variety show on (April 20) Friday night.
This year the show is titled “Superheroes Super Fly in 3D” a theme that the Drama Club officers created during the school year. The show features more than 20 acts and a storyline involving super teens and super villains battling for popularity at the high school.
The talent show traditionally has a story that is created by the Drama Club officers that also features acts from the student body. Many of the performers have never been on stage before at the high school.
April Antics is a long-standing tradition at VHS and this year’s senior class was excited about their final shows.
“It’s the last chance to be on stage and show everybody what I’m capable of doing,” said Tory Krus, a senior and co-president of the Drama Club. “I think it’s really cool that it’s been going on for so long. It’s great that people come back every year and it’s good to be a part of the tradition.”
Krus is featured in the opening video short along with the other Drama Club officers, Erin Evers, John Kotynski, Zach Moustis, Tess Galbiati and Conner Sunday. The officers also have pivotal roles in the production.
April Antics features the talents of Bennet Sanders, Lindsey DeBoer, Rachel Keller, Colin Welsh, Mitch Paxton, Jon Krus, John Armstrong, Gareth Kaye, Maxfield Reinhardt, Daniel Barajas, Amanda Smaga, Tyler Smaga and Caroline Koenig.
The performers in the show include the VHS Jazz Band, John Miller, Domi Szabo, Erik Muntzing, Peter Fink, Kali Yallourakis, Carli Meihofer, Katie Ploetz, Sakile Jones, Brandon McFadden, Stephanie Bongard and Mindi Reach.
Domo Wilson, Stephanie Bohn, Kathryn Bower, Mattilyn Sims, Heather Sorensen, Brendan Tanner, Mitchel Pynakker, Sabrina Pierotti, Kate Scott, Taylor Post and the VHS Vikettes also perform.
The second act features the Varsity Singers, Samantha Prevost, Liz Bianco, Elise Riddell, Sarah Simon, McCaul Sawina, Claire Simon, Sofia Grimsgard, Lena Barajas, mandy Ploetz, Julia Dalton, J.P. Kunze, Kylie Staples, Rebecca Rue, Mike Pupillo, Grace Mittelstaedt, Laura Gruszka, Caitlyn Tanner, Chris Florek and Michael Ohm.
“It’s been really fun,” said Colin Welsh, a senior in his first April Antics. “I’ve wanted to do it since I was a freshman and I’m happy that I finally did it.”
VHS April Antics has one final show, Saturday night (April 21) at 7 p.m. in the VHS Auditorium. Tickets are $10 at the door.