NBC’s new show, “Rise,” based off of a true story, takes the tone of “Friday Night Lights” with discreet parallels to “Glee.” The show, however, takes on its own footing with a fresh and diverse cast amongst a few recognizable actors and a soundtrack blended seamlessly with the story.
Though the story follows a high school teacher, Lou Mazzuchelli (played by “How I Met Your Mother’s “Josh Radnor), who decides to take on an uninspired musical group (the theater department) and recruits the reluctant star of the football team, any comparisons to Fox’s completed series “Glee” end there.
The series has a more serious tone with dark color grading and shaky camera shots to compliment the story. Pushing aside Stanton High theater’s repeated rendition of “Grease,” Lou decides to put on a production of the musical “Spring Awakening.” It is a controversial choice in the school as it deals with suicide, abortion and teenage sexuality amongst other mature themes. Alongside the musical’s plot, characters of the show are hinted at facing hardship outside of the school production including alcoholism, homelessness and adultery.
West Chester students may find an appeal in how close to home this story is set. The show revolves around a poor town in Pennsylvania and is based off of the book Drama High, which follows the true story of Lou Volpe’s theater program at Harry S. Truman High School in Bucks County.
Fans of musicals will quickly find something to connect with; Moana’s Auli’I Cravalho stars as student Lillette Suare. Though the pilot only gives a glimpse at some of the struggles Cravalho’s character goes through as she discovers her mother has been seeing the football coach in secret, resulting in a torn marriage, she shines in her strong voice and passionate performance.
There are clever nods to other musicals. One scene features one of Lou’s children listening to a track from Hamilton. After his wife expresses concern for him taking on the additional responsibility of the theater department, he quotes the song while it plays. Rap is a common genre featured in the first episode, mirroring the Hamilton track. Damon J. Gillespie, who plays football star Robbie Thorne, effortlessly shows off his rap skills during the homecoming pep rally.
Some parts of the first episode bordered on cheesy, but that is usually expected with a “high school” set drama. Since the first season follows the school’s production of “Spring Awakening,” the pilot introduced the conflict of the school’s negative perspective of the musical. By the last ten minutes of the episode, some things felt rushed. One minute the principal fired Lou from his new position as director of theater and replaced “Spring Awakening” with another musical. Only a few minutes later during a fast sequence, the students and assistant director Tracey Wolfe (played by Rosie Perez) burned their costumes and reinstated “Spring Awakening.” I suspect the back and forth between Lou and the students versus the school and community will be fleshed out more in upcoming episodes.
Overall, “Rise” had a strong start to the series. Music and drama clash and I am hopeful the show will soon find its core and “rise” in the coming episodes.
Demi Milas is a fourth-year communication studies major with a minor in journalism. ✉ DM829393@wcupa.edu.