In the Musical Hall at Fair Park on February 2, the showstopping presence of Tina Turner was embodied by Frenship High School Theatre students as they performed for the Broadway Dallas Gala. In a tradition that started last year, Broadway Dallas invites one school to perform at the Gala to raise money for the Broadway Dallas Educational Fund. 

This year the Frenship High School Theatre was given the honor of performing. With the current run of the Broadway Tour of The Tina Turner Musical, the group decided to perform a Tina Medley of Proud Mary and River Deep, Moutain High. 

Jacob Lierman, the Frenship High School Theatre Director, approached the performance as a professional hiring. He wanted to give the students their first taste of what it means to ‘do a job.’ The students auditioned for a select number of spots, and they had to learn to practice and deliver what the customer was asking for. 

In the end, 21 of Frenship’s most talented performers took to the stage and blew the audience away. “The performance was breathtaking,” said Lierman. “The audience was on their feet dancing and singing along.”  

The proceeds from the Gala benefit the Broadway Dallas Educational Fund. This fund gives students the opportunity to be a part of the High School Musical Theatre Awards, be a part of Broadway workshops and intensives, and provides scholarships for so many students across Texas. 

After the gala, the cast was able to see The Tina Turner Musical. Lierman stated that as a director one of his favorite things is to witness his students experience Broadway for the first time.  

“Some of these students had never seen a production of that caliber,” said Lierman. “Having the opportunity to see the show and meet one of the actors after, it was just a magical night.” 

The Frenship High School Theatre Department has submitted its recent productions of Anastasia and Evita for the Broadway Dallas High School Musical Theater Awards.