Group takes on teen suicide with a musical drama | Arts & Culture

KINGS MILLS, OH (FOX19) - On Saturday, February 11 & Sunday, February 12, a musical drama performance of "Dead Serious...About Life" will be presented at Kings High School in Kings Mill, Ohio. The performance on Saturday begins at 6:00 p.m. and the Sunday performance begins at 3:00 p.m. The musical will be performed by a group called Mishpachah, Inc., which is based out of Mason, Ohio.

Mishpachah, Inc. is an auditioned group of high school students from the Cincinnati, Ohio area who participate in this community drama/music group. The group's unique name "Mishpachah" is a Hebrew word that means family or clan. "Mish" as they are called, is known for their radical and exceptional style and choreography. In the ‘11-’12 performance year, the group consist of 36 students representing 20 different school districts and 24 different churches.

Since June of 1989, the group has been performing the musical "Dead Serious...About Life" which deals with many issues that teens have to deal with. The underlying subject matter is teenage suicide. The group wrote the script. The music and lyrics were written especially for Mishpachah by Jay Banks.

"Dead Serious...about life" is a musical written to appeal to teenagers. It is upfront and it is blunt.  The story begins at Todd and Stephanie’s house. Mom and Dad have left for the weekend, so let the party begin! Throughout the course of the evening, you will meet the characters with their different personalities, their numerous problems and their view about their lives. "Dead Serious" will expose the issues of abortion, alcohol, drugs, religion, sex and suicide, issues that all too often we don’t want to talk about or face.

In the past, the group has performed at various churches, civic organizations, youth events, Cincinnati Convention Center, various church camps, Eden Park, shopping malls, numerous high schools, Six Flags Over Mid America, Kings Island Amusement Park, and Disney World. They have toured to: Florida, Arkansas, Colorado, Texas, North & South Carolina, Indiana, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, New York, Virginia, Georgia, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Alabama and Ohio.

The group has performed this musical for more than 100,000 people and has counseled over 8000 young people following their performances. Not only has this ministry changed the lives of those teens who participate, but thousands of others who have had the opportunity to see this production.

For ticket information about the performance at Kings High School, please call 800/459-7268. Tickets are $8.00 in advance and $9.00 at the door. Tickets will only be pre-sold until Thursday, February 9th.

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