Love. Enemies. Singing. Class elections. What do these have in common? All will be shown in the spectacular production of Back to the 80s on March 26th, 27th, and 28th. The jukebox musical, which our Theatre Guild previously performed back in the early 2000’s, is packed with nostalgic references, catchy hits, and retro visuals. We follow thirty year old Corey Palmer as he narrates his very eventful senior year at William Ocean High.
References everywhere! Pay close attention -– or don’t — because every bit of dialogue, every character name, and every visual is a reference to the 1980. Rubix cubes, floppy disks, cassette tapes, popular eighties cartoons and musical artists – some of these references are easy to miss, while others will catch you when you least expect it. If you grew up in this decade, or even if you have a knack for retro things, you’ll find that you’re never bored during this production.
All About the ’80s
Back to the 80s is based on the totally tubular decade of the 1980s! Back in the ’80s, life felt pretty radical. Life wasn’t centered around smartphones or social media. Music was listened to through tiny headphones connected to a Walkman. Songs were uploaded onto the Walkman through a cassette, and making the perfect mixtape for a friend or crush was an art form. When you checked the mail, you likely had one of your favorite magazines waiting for you in there. Instead of texting your friends about it, you’d call them on the landline and talk for hours.
Pop culture icons were everywhere. Celebrities like Jon Bon Jovi, Princess Diana, and Michael Jackson were all the rage and were on every headline and television screen. MTV transformed the music industry by broadcasting fun music videos by fan favorite artists, starting their launch with the song “Video Killed the Radio Star.” Many people tuned in to watch their favorite songs on MTV, allowing a sense of community among music listeners. Watching music videos soon became a shared experience for fans around the country.
The ’80s were also a great time when it came to movies and entertainment. When you went on the TV, you would see popular movies airing like Back to the Future, the Star Wars franchise, the Goonies, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
The ’80’s were colorful, high energy and full of unforgettable pop culture moments, making it the perfect setting for an energetic musical like Back to the 80s.
As previously stated, Back to the 80’s is what it is largely because of its huge musical numbers—not one person in the audience won’t leave without recognizing at least one of these famous pop hits.
Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
We open with Wham!’s “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go”, setting a fun, lighthearted, and energetic mood for the musical. Released in May of 1984, the singer of Wham!, George Michael, intended for the song to be a fun, fast paced tribute to sixties pop music, and in less than a year it reached number one in the U.K. Singles Chart and on the U.S.’s Billboard Hot 100.
Kids in America
Shortly after “Wake Me Up…” the audience is presented with another large musical number, “Kids In America” by Kim Wilde. The English pop singer’s debut single, released in January 1981, was inspired by American teenagers’ independent and rebellious attitudes that Wilde’s father had observed on a television program. It reached number 25 in the United States and hit number 2 in the U.K. and grew to be in the global top-10 hits.
From PAC-Man, to floppy disks, cassette tapes, to Mr. Potato Head, this number will have you filled with nostalgia and energy.
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
Whether you’re Gen-Z or Gen-X, you’ll surely recognize and know the lyrics to this song in Back to the 80’s. Released in 1983, this famous song was performed by Cyndi Lauper and it became one of the most recognizable pop songs of the decade. Featuring the whole female cast, this famous girlhood anthem is another prominent musical number that every audience member will remember after the show.
Love Shack
The second song of Act 2 highlights the charismatic and vibrant essence of Back to the 80’s with another full-company musical number. The “Love Shack” itself was not fictitious; the singer of the B-52’s was inspired by a rural cabin off of the Atlanta Highway in Georgia, which actually had a rusted tin roof— hence the famous “tin roof rusted” lyric.
In the musical itself, “Love Shack” presents William Ocean Highschool students having a party at Corey’s house while his parents are away, followed by a dramatic dialogue and a humorous plot-twist. Overall, “Love Shack” effectively builds on the high-energy and lighthearted theme of the musical.
Cast & Crew Interviews
Among the many talented performers and crew members involved in the production, this show holds special meaning for the senior members of the Theatre Guild. As they took to the stage for their final productions with the Central Catholic Theatre Guild, several seniors shared their thoughts on their time in theater, about this show and what this show means to them.
As a senior and an executive board member, what’s been the most rewarding part of helping bring Back to the 80s to life?
Julia LaSpina, ‘26: For me, the most rewarding part of helping bring Back to the 80s to life is the song choices in the script and being able to incorporate some of the most iconic 80s dance moves into our choreography for all our numbers. In addition, being able to witness all my peers gradually grow out of their comfort zones as we go along has been incredibly special to watch as a performer, choreographer, and most of all friend to my fellow cast mates. It has been one of the most meaningful parts of the entire experience.
After being a part of theater so long: how does it feel to end your theater career on such a high energy production like Back to the 80s?
Julia LaSpina, ‘26: I’ve really enjoyed ending my theater career with this show, especially because of how well the story matches. While the plot definitely has its exaggerated parts, I can confirm that some parts of senior year are fairly accurate. Since the musical follows a high schooler through the ups and downs of their final year, it’s been fun to connect with the story while living through that same experience myself. On top of that, the songs are so fun, and I know the audience (especially the parents!) are going to love them.
How does knowing this is your last show make moments on stage feel different compared to shows in your junior, sophomore and even freshman year?
Bridget Torrisi, ’26: With this being my last show, I’ve been trying to stay more present during rehearsals. Instead of constantly worrying about the upcoming performances (though I still catch myself doing that sometimes), I want to enjoy the time I have left with my friends. I know that once tech week and show nights arrive, it will start to feel bittersweet knowing it’s my last time performing on Central’s stage. I’m definitely not ready for the final time we do our pre- and post-show traditions together because those moments have always been such an important part of the experience and the memories we’ve made.
To you, what does it mean to share the stage with underclassmen one last time, knowing this show will be part of their theater memories too?
Bridget Torrisi, ’26: Over the past two years, I’ve had the opportunity to be a student choreographer for shows here at Central. Being able to teach underclassmen and help them grow as performers has been one of my favorite parts of being in Theatre Guild. I get the opportunity to not just be their friend, but also to support them as a mentor.
As a seasoned stage manager, what has been your favorite part of working with this cast and crew?
Sierra Hudson, ‘26: My favorite thing about working with this cast and crew has been seeing their creativity and passion for everything they do and face. We have had a number of setbacks this season, but through it all everyone has consistently shown up and shown out! This cast and crew is composed of energetic, talented, and amazing individuals who, building off each other, tell amazing and memorable stories whether onstage or off!
How would you convince a reader skimming the newspaper to come see Back to the 80s?
Sierra Hudson, ‘26: Have you ever wanted to know what high school in the 80s was like? CCHS theater guild joins Corey Palmer on the wacky and wild ride that was high school four decades ago. The dancing, music, clothing, and hairstyles will leave you wishing for more. So, come along and experience the nostalgia that is the 80s!
As a new thespian, what’s something you’ve learned from theater and this show in particular that you will always keep with you?
Jacoby Cascio, ‘26: As somebody new to theater, I’ve learned how much talent it takes to create a character concept and to be able to pull it off in a way that generally makes people watching feel as though it’s your true personality, not just acting. The actor/actress who acts out the antagonist in a play, assuming I don’t know them personally, I always think them to be horrible people off the stage as well because of how well they played their character, and it’s so fun to experience this talent amongst the CCHS Theater Guild and to try it out for myself as well!
When the curtain closes on the final performance, what do you think you’ll miss most about being part of theatre here?
Jacoby Cascio, ‘26: When the curtain closes on the last night of the show, I know for a fact I will miss being a part of the group I was assigned to. It gave me a way to get to know a bunch of people better, just by being assigned as best friends or some form of connection in the show. I know that I won’t be able to imitate scenes backstage and laugh about them anymore because we will be moving on to a new show. It feels like the inside jokes die when the show ends
Your character leans into the classic “80s nerd” trope. What’s been the most fun part of playing that role?
Amelia Phillips, ‘26: I think the most fun part of playing my character has been getting to lean into the ridiculousness of the role. It’s definitely a caricature of that 80s nerd stereotype, so I’m able to do a lot of silly things that wouldn’t make sense for a more grounded character. Pretty much every time I’ve asked myself “but would he do something like that?” The answer has been yes, so it’s been fun to have the freedom to play around with a character where I can make choices depending on what would be funnier for the scene.
What kind of reactions from the audience are you hoping for with playing your character?
Amelia Phillips, ‘27: With a character like Feargal I’d say the reaction I would most hope for is laughter. He’s not really meant to be taken seriously, although he does get his moment of triumph. I do hope people are at least somewhat rooting for him by the end—sure, he’s annoying, but I think it’s in a way that can wind up being a little bit endearing.
How do you think the costumes, music, and choreography help transport the audience straight into the 1980s?
Addyson Plouffe, ‘26: I think the music especially has a big hand in transporting the audience back to the 80s. This is particularly true for parents and adults who were born or grew up during that decade. The costumes are also a lot of fun, and paired with the hairstyles they really capture the bold and iconic look of the 80s and really give the audience that feeling!
If someone could only watch one song in the show be performed, which moment would you tell them they absolutely can’t miss?
Addyson Plouffe, ‘26: If someone could watch only one song from the show, I’d have to say “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.” As the opening number, it introduces every character and their personalities, without needing any words! It also establishes the main groups in the show, and the song and choreography are just pure fun to watch.
What are you most excited for audience members to experience when they arrive at the show?
MaryJo Jabbour, ‘26: “This is the first jukebox musical we’ve had in a while—at least since I’ve been at Central. As much as I’ve loved the last few musicals we’ve done, this is the only one I can really say that nearly everyone in that audience will recognize the songs, and I think that’ll be really fun. I know a lot of the time people come into musicals to see someone specific or just to see something new, so this time there’ll be something familiar to them. This is also one of the most interactive sets I feel we’ve made, and I’d love to see the reactions to the neon detailing and the “automatic” cart.”
As hospitality, how do you help build excitement for the show as people take their seats?
MaryJo Jabbour, ‘26: “Every time I’ve been in hospitality, I’ve been at the front door. I’m always genuinely excited to see the reactions to the show and for the performances to go well, so it’s easy to keep a smile on my face and stay energetic while welcoming people, but whenever I need to walk someone to the elevators or someone waits in the lobby, I try to make conversation—ask who they’re here to see, ask if they’re looking forward to anything specific, talk about how good the shows been on other show nights and assure them they’ll love what we have. It gets people excited to talk about what they think will happen or mention someone they’re close to in the show.”
While the music and story make Back to the 80s unforgettable, the real magic comes from the people performing and producing the show. This year’s cast, crew, and directors have put in countless hours to make the production as exciting and polished as possible.
Special Thanks
We would like to extend a special thanks to the directors, Mrs. Thompson, Mr. Matt. Joyal, and Ms. Leavitt who helped to make all of the cast rehearsals run smoothly. It is due to their efforts throughout the past few months that the Central Catholic Theatre Guild is able to put on such a show. We would also like to thank Mr. Svedsen, who has played a significant role in the crew and Ms. LaBrie, who has organized all of the ticket sales. Finally, we would like to extend our gratitude to Ms. Gowing, who has been in charge of the hair and makeup section of the crew; without her we would not have all of these fantastic and distinct character looks.
Finally, we find it important to extend our gratitude toward everyone who has supported this ongoing production along the way. Without these supporters— whether they’ve bought tickets, provided props, or have simply been there for those in the production— we would not have the show we have now.
