Hi­-Liners celebrate 20 years of MainStage with the opening of 42nd Street musical at the PAC

(Article originally published in The Highline Times: http://goo.gl/1Zsltl)

By Matt Wendland

The Hi-Liners are celebrating 20 consecutive years of their MainStage program at Burien’s Performing Arts Center (PAC) with opening of their 42nd Street musical production.

The Hi-Liners first began in 1966 as a summer program founded by Highline School District teacher William A. Moeller. For nearly 30 years the program developed, eventually becoming a year round, district-wide, performance group. When the state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center was first opened at the Highline High School campus in the early 90s, The Hi-Liners, still led by Moeller, decided to launch their MainStage program with the musical, “Hello Dolly” in 1994. 20 years later, the Hi-Liners have grown from offering one show a year to offering a full season of productions, classes, workshops and camps for students from the age of 3 to 22-years-old. The Hi-Liners’ MainStage program uses high-end production values to deliver an adapted major Broadway musical with each year with students from ages 9 to 22.

This year’s MainStage production, 42nd Street, tells the story of a chorus girl from Allentown, PA. who steps into the lead role of a major musical after the star breaks her leg. 42nd Street is a stage adaptation of classic 1933 American Warner Bros. musical film directed by Lloyd Bacon.

On the evening of September 6, Hi-Liners opened the doors to their last dress rehearsal before opening night to give a preview of what students and volunteers have been preparing for audiences. With a full orchestra, lights and multi-story sets, students delivered a beautiful and energetic adaptation of the famous film. With scenes ranging from one or two cast members connecting with the audience to scenes with over 20 dancers in choreographed ensemble, even in dress rehearsal, performers in the Hi-Liners’ 42nd Street demonstrated a dedication to delivering a quality production.

Performances of the Hi-Liners’ 42nd Street will be held every Saturday and Sunday at the PAC in Burien from September 6 through September 21. Tickets can be purchased at the Hi-Liners’ website, www.hi-liners.org or by calling 206-617-2152.