High School 'Chicago': A Jazzy Rebellion Against the Winter's Howl
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In the heart of the season's bone-chilling embrace, when the mountain town of Estes Park turns into a windswept enclave trapped in the icy grip of winter's cruel dance, the local high school becomes a beacon of raw, unadulterated culture—a culture under siege by the very forces of nature that make this rugged landscape a test of human resolve.
As the tourists flee like rats from a sinking ship, leaving in their wake the carnage of depleted shelves and the silence of a town left to reclaim its soul, we stalwart few find salvation in the most unexpected of places. The high dive bars regain their pulse, throbbing with the raw, uncompromised narratives of the locals rather than the slurred expositions of the transient bridal brigades.
Enter the high school theater—our cultural Alamo, where the valiant stand is taken not with rifles but with stage lights, costumes, and the pure, uncut chutzpah of youth. Here, my daughter, heir apparent to the creative madness that once coursed through my own veins with the ferocity of a thousand jackhammers, now treads the boards with the rest of the 'drama kids.' Attendance isn't a choice—it's a pilgrimage to the temple of my genetic legacy.
On a Thursday night, as the wind howled its displeasure like a chorus of discontented ghosts, Estes Park High School unfurled its rendition of "Chicago" with a bravado that would have made the old prohibition gangsters nod in respect. The joint was jumping, the scene set, the sin and skin of Jazz Age debauchery laid bare in a high school auditorium.
Dr. Denny, the maestro of this madness, steered these young thespians through the treacherous waters of "Chicago," where Roxie Hart, a syncopated siren, turned murderess, wove her web of deceit with a voice as sweet as sin and a heart as hard as the Chicago pavement.
The locals, clutching their pearls and their Bibles, might decry the audacity of such a spectacle in our wholesome mountain retreat. They preach fire and brimstone, warning of the degradation of our youth—even as our youth stand center stage, not corrupted but enlightened by the harsh spotlight of reality. The truth is, their world is no refuge from the shadows—they only pretend it's so.
With "All That Jazz" as their battle cry, these kids didn't just perform; they hurled their defiance into the darkness, proving that rebellion and art would flourish even here, in the quiet after the tourist storm. The provocative dances? Merely the language of freedom, spoken with the body, in the face of puritanical tyranny.
And so, with sequins flashing defiantly against the conservative bluster, the show erupted onto the stage, a statement of intent, a declaration of coming of age. The talent on display wasn't just good for a high school—it was a damn fine spectacle by any measure, full of gusto and a tinge of anarchy.
Don't miss this blast of true Americana, where the future stars of stage and screen cut their teeth. The show runs until Saturday, with the curtain rising at 7 pm. Get your ticket—$15 for those who prefer their seats unplanned and $12 for the young scholars. Come witness the spectacle, the sin, the seduction, and the unrelenting spirit of youth—all wrapped up in the glory of "Chicago" at Estes Park High School.
Jason Van Tatenhove, an acclaimed author and consultant, intricately blends his expertise in writing and political activism. He penned the non-fiction work ‘The Perils of Extremism’ and several fictional titles set amidst the scenic backdrop of Estes Park, Colorado, such as ‘Colorado’s Chance: The Firewalker.’ As a consultant with Georgetown Law’s Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection and a vocal contributor to MSNBC and CNN, Jason casts a discerning eye on violent political extremism and misinformation, even testifying before Congress on these pressing issues. His writings have found a home in various publications, including Newsweek, Salon, Giant Freakin Robot, and Estes Park Trail-Gazette, seamlessly traversing through diverse media landscapes across Colorado.
