DAZE is back

Tulsa's Central High School is reviving a pearl from its past, the annual school variety show, called "DAZE." It premiered in 1927 and continued through the early 90's, when it died for lack of

Friday, April 13th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Tulsa's Central High School is reviving a pearl from its past, the annual school variety show, called "DAZE." It premiered in 1927 and continued through the early 90's, when it died for lack of interest. Now, at the urging of alums, the good old "DAZE" are back.

KOTV's Glenda Silvey says Johnny Cherblanc thought his days in "DAZE" were long past. But the Central Class of '57 graduate is one of several alums joining students for the revival of the once-beloved school variety show. Loss of interest shelved "DAZE" for ten years. But both alums and students are thrilled to bring it back. "We alums have been trying to get them to do it for a period of time, and this will be about the 65th DAZE, so yes, they needed to bring it back because the needed to give the kids the opportunity to participate." And they are participating.

Nearly 60 students perform in the production they also wrote. They join 25 alums singing and dancing through decades of "DAZE", with tunes from the 20's to the present. Students and alumns have clicked on stage and off. Central High drama director, Ardelle Wilson, "My kids love it and they are so excited, they're all fighting over who gets to dance with the alumni." One of the students, Kevin Riggs says, "You think that because they're alumni, you think they're going to be slow or something like that, but they're awesome. I'm serious." Cherblanc says alums love watching the blossoming talent of students, who're having the time of their lives. Another student, Aaron King says, "I feel like it's the greatest thing that's ever happened to me, because I've always wanted to get up on stage and act in front of a whole audience of people."

Wilson says the long tradition of "DAZE" has been an inspiration to the entire school. Students have loved learning about Central's history and helping resurrect it. Central student, Taresa Pflueger, "It needed to be done years ago, I can't believe they stopped doing it, it's been so much fun." Those were the "DAZE", and now young and older have joined together to create even brighter "DAZE" ahead.

"DAZE" opens April 20th at the Central High school auditorium. There's a Friday night performance at 7pm and Saturday matinee at 2pm. Tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for students.