Rochester Students Excited for Broadway Musical

Despite the best efforts of teachers, kids in Rochester sometimes don't get the educational opportunities students in suburban schools do. However, next week an entire Rochester school is doing something few schools get to, and that is experience a broadway show behind the scenes. Hundreds of students from Rochester City Schools will get to enjoy a nice Memphis style dinner, along with the Broadway musical "Memphis" at the Auditorium Theatre.

Michael Frazier is a senior and Director of The Glee Club at The School Without Walls Commencement Academy.

"I'm excited for the Memphis experience and all the city school students are going to be there so I'm really looking forward to it," Frazier says.

Frazier says his passion for music has him more than thankful for this opportunity, provided by his school and The RBTL.

"Really lucky because we don't have a lot of music things, so I feel blessed," Frazier says.

Frazier is one of seven-hundred students invited to see the musical. Inspired by actual events. the show is about a white radio DJ who wants to change the world, and a black singer ready for her big break. It's a show Dr. Idonia Owens asys students in 2012 can relate to.

"I'm hoping they have a deeper understanding of what happened during that time period. Its also relevant to the music they listen to today," Dr. Owens says.

Bob Sagan with The Rochester Broadway Theatre League says, "For many of these students it will be their first and only broadway experience and what a show to experience."

Before the excitement, students are attending workshops to help them understand the story, the kids can't wait.

Elizabeth Kurzmichel is a senior who will attend the show next week.

Kurzmichel says, "An incredible experience and great memories because I always enjoy going to the plays and getting the experience of seeing these people do what they are passionate about."

It's a rare opportunity to see Broadway stars, an experience these students won't soon forget.