Rancho Cucamonga, CA — Chaffey College students will break out their best combat boots, fishnet stockings and leather jackets for the raw and raucous musical “PUNK ROCK GIRL!” from Nov. 20-23.
It’s a celebration of music and community, with inspiration from the 1990s Riot Grrrl movement. Sheila Malone, professor of technical theatre and play director, described it as a family-friendly, but loud production with an uplifting central message.
“Anyone who loves rock, punk, ska, alt rock or pop will get a kick out of the production,” Malone said. “The story centers on belonging, and more importantly it shows us how to create community through collaboration which is what theatre is about and does so well.”
The play centers on 16-year-old Angela Quivers, who is shy, awkward and feels like she doesn’t fit in until she meets a confident punk rocker named Proxi. The musical score includes songs made famous by female artists and female-fronted bands such as Blondie, Pat Benatar, Avril Lavigne and Bikini Kill. The title of the play refers to the 1988 Dead Milkmen song “Punk Rock Girl.”
The play, presented by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals, includes both live and pre-recorded music performed by Chaffey musicians. Tony Award-winner Joe Iconis wrote the script and musical arrangements for the musical, with orchestrations and musical arrangements by Rob Rokicki.
While many of the songs were written decades before many of the cast members were born, the play still strikes a chord with students, Malone said.
“Punk rock isn’t just a time period, or historical context,” Malone said. “It’s an aesthetic, it’s a practice, and dare I say — a rejection of the status quo.”
The cast features 18 students, with another 18 working behind the scenes on everything from stage management, hair, makeup and costuming, to scenery. The set design includes huge screens featuring band posters, a stage for the play’s punk band “The Humanz” and other rolling set pieces.
“Students have been learning the music, embracing the ‘ethos’ of punk, donning the garb, learning instruments, learning how to setup sound systems, work a microphone, etc.,” Malone said.
English major Abigale Lynn, who plays the lead role, said she can relate to her character’s personality because she also used to be shy and in search of her identity. She hopes to transfer to a four-year university after Chaffey and aspires to become a mythology professor.
“From my experience in this production, I’ve learned that it’s okay to take up space on the stage as this is my first lead role,” she said. “Having this opportunity allowed me to grow more as a performer and learn to make decisions, even when I’m scared to.”
The play’s performances will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 20-22 and 2 p.m. Nov. 23. Tickets are available at Chaffey.edu.
