OHS Performs 'Sunset Blvd.' at Ford Center in March

The Oxford High School production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Sunset Blvd.” found a temporary performing space at the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts.
“The change to the new high school has created some interesting obstacles to our theatre season this year,” said director John Davenport.
The OHS theatre department produces a large-scale musical annually as the headliner of their theatre season. Performances are usually held in the Kayla Sue Mize Auditorium at the old OHS located on Bramlett Blvd., however, since there is no auditorium at the new high school located on Sisk Ave., the performance needed a new home.
With a cast of thirty-six, thirty of which are students, Davenport knew they could not pick just any space that became available. They needed a fairly large facility.
Norm Easterbrook and the Ford Center staff have given the entire cast and crew a sense of excitement for their otherwise homeless production.
“‘Sunset Blvd.’ means a lot to this particular cast and crew,” said Davenport. “The proceeds will go towards our current and last group that will be performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this August in Scotland.”
The musical captures the “tale of faded glory and unfulfilled ambition” as character Norma Desmond, an otherwise silent film star, attempts to find relevancy in the Hollywood world of “talkies”. Desmond then meets screenwriter Joe Gillis and falls into a impassioned and volatile relationship leading to an unseen conclusion.
Lead actors Abby Wilson and Ben Lilly, as well as the rest of the cast and crew, will perform “Sunset Blvd” on March 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ford Center.
Tickets are currently available through the UM box office or online at www.olemissboxoffice.com. Prices are $12 for adults and $7 for students and Oxford School District employees. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis each performance.
– Raquel Helmer is a student at the University of Mississippi. She can be contacted by emailing rghelmer91@gmail.com.