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It may be difficult for some students to believe that their teachers at Los Gatos High School play in bands, have incredible singing, dancing and acting abilities and are willing to put their talents on stage for one evening—
even if it means making fun of themselves.
And that's just what they'll be doing when faculty members at the school perform in the fifth annual Fractured Follies, a goofy gig for a good cause. The faculty variety show will take place April 22 at 7 p.m. in the school's Prentiss Brown Auditorium, 20 High School Court.
Paris De Soto, an English teacher at the high school, is organizing the event, and all proceeds will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Tickets are $10, and the event is open to the general public.
English teacher Kurt Kroesche will serve as the master of ceremonies. Participants include many LGHS alumni who are now teachers at the school, including Scott Downs, an art teacher and wrestling coach; English teacher Kristi (Musser) Grasty; social studies teacher Kelly Pearson; and English teacher Anne (Burke) Martyn. Physical education teacher Gayle Shank will do a spoof of Riverdance. The show will conclude with several songs performed by Russ Leal, a school resource specialist, and his band ExtraLarge.
"It's fun. For all the faculty, it has served as a gathering point for all of us over the years," Downs said. "It incorporates everything from foolish ridiculous skits to really good music. It's a one-night shot, but it's always sold out. The whole auditorium is on their feet."
De Soto, who lost a close friend to a leukemia-and-lymphoma-related disease, is also raising money for the society by participating in the Wildflower, a half-Ironman event on May 1. Ed and Shirley Burke, owners of the Los Gatos Athletic Club, have generously sponsored both the benefit and De Soto's training for the triathlon. De Soto works at the club two mornings a week, Shirley said.
"We just support anything that goes on at the high school," Shirley said. "It's a special time for the students to see their teachers performing, and it's a very nice end-of-the-year event."
The students just like to see their teachers making fools of themselves, Downs said, but there's also some real talent on the staff. Shirley added that another highlight of the event is Kroesche as emcee.
"You'll be in tears, you are laughing so hard," she said.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call the school's main office at 408.354.2730.
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