Advanced search
- TITLES
- NAMES
- COLLABORATIONS
1-13 of 13
- In the premiere, Lou petitions to take over as director of the theater program in an attempt to revitalize his passion for teaching, but quickly realizes he has his work cut out for him. His controversial decision to change the musical to the more provocative "Spring Awakening" and his atypical casting choices create a ripple effect for the program's assistant director Tracey Wolfe. the school's football coach Sam Strickland, and the students in the show.
- The production hits another obstacle concerning the actual performance, something that Tracey was aware of but hits Lou by surprise. Maashous believes he has at least a partial solution, but what Lou decides to do to improve the situation may have the opposite effect in he not fully comprehending all the pieces in play. Something else that is affecting the production is Robbie and Lilette's off stage relationship, which is reflected in how they interact with each other on stage. Meanwhile, Lou and Gail have to decide what to do about Gordy, especially after he stays out all evening following the party without telling them where he was. They know that they have to provide a united front in dealing with him, and follow through with whatever rule and consequence they lay down with him. A conversation Lou has with Sam may provide another perspective despite Sam not having a game plan in taking charge of Gordy. Sam and Denise make a decision about their marriage which is made all the more real when they bring Gwen into the discussion. Following Tracey and Andy's date, Tracey has mixed feelings about what to do in both having a good time on that date and liking Andy, while not wanting to place herself in either an unprofessional situation or in a situation of potentially being hurt. And Simon begins school at St. Francis. He tries to put on a good face about school, but may not ultimately be able to hide the fact that he'd still rather be at Stanton. With all these issues, a few characters hit their breaking point and react in extreme ways.
- Lou is brought down to earth when his production budget is slashed, Coach Strickland vindictively monopolizes Robbie's time, and he has a conflict with Tracey. Lilette finds herself starting to fall for Robbie, while Simon contends with conflicting feelings about his role in the show. As Michael finds support within the theater troupe, Gwen acts out in rehearsals in response to tensions at home.
- It's three weeks until opening night. From a scale model he's asked Maashous to build, Lou has designed his dream set - a mix of old Germany with modern day Stanton, it meant to bring the Stanton audience into the experience - he determined to have it built despite the obstacles. This is only the latest of a series of obstacles as Vanessa's actions at the diner have had a ripple effect on Lilette, which in turn has had a ripple effect on the logistics of rehearsals. Vanessa does not comprehend the emotional aspect of what her dealing with the aftermath is having on her daughter. Due to the latest gaffe at practice, Robbie is given an ultimatum by Coach. And Sasha confides a personal issue with Tracey, who tries to help her bridge the problem at least emotionally. These obstacles lead to further issues with Lou at home as Gail feels he's neglecting the needs of the family. Meanwhile, Simon overcompensates for an admission made to him by Jeremy, with Annabelle the party who may be the used object. Gwen continues to stew about what is happening with her parents, she now having a focus to her anger. And stemming from an issue associated with the set, Gordy is placed into a situation where he is shown the extent of his drinking problem.
- It's technical week and both Lou and Tracey are happy with the production at this stage of the process, although Lou, having never gone through technical run-throughs, is overly optimistic that there will be a minimal number of issues. Beyond those technical issues which number more than Lou could have even imagined, he finds that other things are happening to the cast negatively affecting what happens on stage, the backgrounds of which he may not be fully aware. In using the tactic suggested by Lou to deal with the matter, Robbie is benched by Coach Strickland. Not being as natural a musical theater performer as he is a football player, he cannot turn to the show as the replacement for football, and may see Lou as the cause of his problems. And the connection that existed on stage between Simon and Jeremy is no longer, as Jeremy feels betrayed upon learning that Simon and Annabelle are having sex, although reality is not quite as Jeremy is told. Other issues with the cast include Michael and Sasha, once best friends, working through their strained relationship in light of Michael's gender expression, Sasha feeling abandoned as Michael dealt with that transition, and Michael learning about Sasha's current predicament, his action on the matter which is viewed by Sasha as solely an overt expression of his chosen gender. And despite his grand gesture in getting the Stanton Steel sign for the show, Gwen continues to have problems relating to her father. In being all alone, Sam may fall to the temptation that is Vanessa who is now working at the motel where he is living. Through it all, ticket sales are going poorly unlike previous years, as Lou learns the budget for future shows is dependent on the revenue generated by this production. Meanwhile, Maashous learns some news about his foster situation. Coupled with an incident at the Mazzuchelli house leads to Maashous too feeling like his world may be further crumbling around him. And Gordy has started group rehab. His seeming progress and what is really happening within therapy may be totally different from each other. Gordy deals with his problems with the one thing that calms him down.
- An unauthorized video posted online promoting the show - the video which misrepresents the show in that it shows provocative images from the rehearsals - has mixed results. While ticket sales spike, Lou and Tracey believing by now interested students, opponents to the show begin to mobilize to do whatever they can to stop the show from making it to opening night. This opposition affects the dynamics of one family in particular. If the production does make it to opening night, Lou and Tracey know they have to do something for Robbie to get his mojo back. What Lou unilaterally decides to do in the matter, much to Tracey's ire, has the unexpected consequence of helping Gordy. Meanwhile, Sam and Vanessa's affair affects what happens between them, Lilette, Gwen and Gordy. Maashous tells Lou and Gail about his mother, but not the full extent of the story. And with Michael by her side, Sasha thinks she knows what she will do about her pregnancy. She gets some unexpected support in the matter.
- With three days until opening night, Lou and Tracey work through the show's changes demanded by Principal Ward and the PTA, with Lou and Principal Ward's jobs on the line. The changes are meant to sanitize the show, removing anything that could be deemed even remotely offensive, such as swear words, and any direct mention of topics that are controversial, like teen pregnancy, abortion, rape, incest, homosexuality and overt sexuality. Lou is however unaware of the full extent of the backroom discussion between Evan and Tracey, and thus Tracey's response to that discussion. Even with the checklist of needed changes, Lou and Tracey go into the process with differing views of how to make the changes without compromising the fundamental messages in the book. Their process further affects the performers, many who are going through their own off stage challenges. Simon is watching his family fall apart in front of his eyes, he needing to be the strong one for Emma, while his father will not let the family break apart if solely in the name of Catholicism. With Vanessa's disappearance, Lilette has to manage her home life on her own, including fending off their landlord Sal who is demanding the already late rent or else. And Robbie receives the news of his mother's failing health and the need to prepare for the end. Meanwhile, Gordy informs his parents that he is required to do community service. His choice of what to do surprises them, and may consciously or unconsciously have something to do with Gwen, which his father in particular can see. And Maashous tells the Mazzuchellis that he is moving back in with his mother. While none of them really want to see Maashous leave, Kaitlin and Sadie take the news the hardest, Kaitlin who thinks she knows the answer to what she sees as the problem.
