Flushing View

High School spring play to feature Star Wars parody




FHS drama students rehearsing a scene from “Star Stars: The Franchise Awakens” Photo by Ben Gagnon

FHS drama students rehearsing a scene from “Star Stars: The Franchise Awakens” Photo by Ben Gagnon

FLUSHING — Since its debut in theaters four decades ago, the Star Wars movie franchise has become a global phenomenon, drawing in millions of lifelong fans and earning billions of dollars in revenue.

But for all its success, George Lucas’ legendary space saga has also received its fair share of critics…and inspired a host of comedic parodies.

This May, the Flushing High School Theatre Department will be presenting its own parody of “a galaxy far, far away” with a production of “Star Stars: The Franchise Awakens” by Dean O’Carroll.

Based on the 2015 Stars Wars movie “The Force Awakens,” the story explores the colorful world of Stars Wars fandom, while also poking a great deal of fun at the franchise’s movies, characters and mass marketability.

FHS spring play director Stacey Daniels—who is a big Stars Wars fan herself—said that “Star Stars: The Franchise Awakens” will be a huge hit with audience members.

“Everyone knows where this parody is coming from, and there’s characters that people will recognize and should know,” she said. “It also touches base on the old fan favorites and the little (controversies) that the Star Wars universe has talked about over the years.”

While the plot of “Star Stars: The Franchise Awakens” packs plenty of punchlines, it also reimagines the franchise’s most beloved characters in satirical ways. For instance, the play’s counterpart to Han Solo—the dashing and daring smuggler from the original Star Wars trilogy—is the crochety and arthritic Cant Soold.

The play also throws some barbs at Star Wars villains. Kylo Ren, the dark and brooding main baddie from “The Force Awakens,” is rechristened as the sulking and childish Emo Whine.

“I really bring out the stereotype that was brought onto Kylo Ren from the original movie,” said FHS junior Kristian Kelley, who portrays Emo Whine. “(Namely), that he’s a big crybaby who complains when he doesn’t get his way.”

Despite taking a comedic stab at the Star Wars franchise, the production also celebrates the greatness of the series and the fandom surrounding it. FHS senior Matt Gatica, who plays Scooper Trooper CHIP, said that Star Wars fans from multiple generations will appreciate the plot.

“There’s so many jokes and references covering all the movies… the ones our parents and older siblings grew up with, and the new ones” he said. “Everyone can find something to enjoy about the play.”

FHS senior Alaina Short, who plays Zap (the equivalent of main hero Rey from “The Force Awakens”) said that even non-Star Wars fans will get a kick out of “Star Stars.”

“It’s a show for everybody,” she said. “I think even people who don’t like Star Wars would love to see a parody of it.”

“Star Stars: The Franchise Awakens” will be performed at Flushing High School’s auditorium on May 3 and May 4 at 7 p.m. and May 5 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be ordered by calling the box office at (810) 591- 3763 or purchased online at https:// whtauditorium.ludus.com/.

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