Marking the 40th anniversary of Permian High School’s Black Magic May show will have some original members and retired director Randy Talley returning.
The show, titled “Juke Box Hero,” is set for 7 p.m. May 11 and 12 at the Ector Theatre. Tickets are available at theector.com. The show began in 1983.
“I can’t believe it’s been that many years. It doesn’t seem that long ago, but it was something that we did not really plan. We just sort of decided to do it. We had just sung at a national music convention with the choir and when we came back, we decided we would do something special with Black Magic, so we put together a show and had everyone learn a solo. We learned, of course, some group numbers. We did it in the span of about two weeks,” Talley said.
Head Choir Director Laurie Wash said a wide variety of tunes will be performed from Elvis Presley, Foo Fighters and Foreigner (for Juke Box Hero) to Broadway and Big Band. Wash added that the songs were selected by the students.
She added that selecting the songs is part of what the students enjoy.
“Some of them have thought about this for years, what song they would like to sing for the Black Magic May show,” Wash said.
The group has 22 members including band members. Rehearsals have been going on since January.
“I’m excited for the kids. They are excited. They love having a chance to perform in this manner,” Wash said.
She added that she hopes original members attending the show will enjoy it and experience good memories.
“We want everyone to please come join us on that Thursday and on that Friday night,” Wash said.
Lisa Melton, formerly Lisa Greene, now lives in Edmond, Okla. She said they didn’t realize it was the first May show group when they were picked to be in it. Melton also is a former choir director. Her career includes two different stints at Permian.
“It was just a show that kind of got thrown together,” she said of the original show. “It certainly wasn’t the hours of rehearsal that they have now. But it was something that our director Randy Talley thought would be kind of a fun opportunity for us and so he led us to use whatever little solo we wanted to do. He picked some group pieces and … it was fun. We didn’t feel any pressure like I’m sure the kids do now to live up to something in the past. It was just a fun singing opportunity for us,” Melton said.
She added that she didn’t have any idea the May Black Magic show would turn into what it has.
“I don’t think anybody could imagine what an incredible production … that it’s turned into now. We didn’t have sets. We had a drummer. We didn’t have a big band. We used corded mics and we didn’t do much dancing. We just kind of moved side to side, so it really was more of just an ensemble singing and letting the members have opportunities to sing solos. We backed each other up a little bit, but it turned into a much bigger deal than we ever would have thought,” Melton said.
She added that she thinks she will be very impressed with what is happening now and what it has become.
”I’m excited to see it at the new venue. I have seen it when it was at the Globe (Theater), but I haven’t seen it obviously at the Ector. I’m really excited to see what it is now and just the talent of the young people that are in it,” Melton said.
Having a wonderful high school choral director was one reason she went into directing herself.
“It was a blessing that I could actually come back and work at the school that I attended and see what that particular organization had grown into, especially Black Magic. That was quite an eye-opener when I went to work and saw the number of hours that everyone put in to put that into effect. They added a Christmas show that we didn’t have. That was just another major part of the year getting those things ready and just so many things that went into putting on that program that I would never have known … that didn’t happen when our group did it that now is quite a production …,” Melton said.
Jaden Rankin and Bailey Wight are two members of Black Magic that will be performing May 11 and 12.
Rankin, an 18-year-old senior, has been in Black Magic for three years. He enjoys the group’s family feeling and the bonding that occurs.
“You get to create every day with people that are like-minded and have a goal in mind. We’re all very talented in our ways, so iron sharpens iron. It’s a great way to have a home away from home,” Rankin said.
This is the 40th anniversary of the May show and Rankin’s last year with the group.
“I think it’s a really big deal, especially coming from a school that is really big on tradition. This is something that we’ve talked about some, but we also believe in making our own impressions and our own memories while also respecting and keeping traditions alive. I think it’s just a really big opportunity that we’re all grateful to experience,” Rankin said.
If someone was on the fence about going to the show, he notes that it makes a strong impression.
“I think everyone’s first time going is something that they really don’t forget because I remember my first time going and it’s something that I really can say I remember almost every detail of it. It’s really an eye-opening experience for young kids who are going into high school and don’t really know what they want to do and seeing something that kids can accomplish together. I think it can really change the way that kids view school,” Rankin said.
“I’m really grateful. Every day I thank God for the opportunities he gives me in life, so I’m just really grateful to be in this group,” he added.
He plans to attend Angelo State University. He was offered a scholarship to sing in the big choir and another scholarship to audition for their a capella group, which is like their version of Black Magic.
“It’s a way that I can continue to do what I love without having the homework for it,” Rankin said.
Wight, a 17-year-old junior, said she is really proud of this group. This is her second year in Black Magic.
“We’re a young group and so I’m just really proud of how mature we are vocally and how we’re able to work on hard songs and dances. For it being the 40th anniversary, I think it’s so cool that we get to keep this tradition in our own way — represent the Black Magic tradition, but in our new way,” Wight said.
She added that she enjoys being in the group because it allows her to express herself in music and do it with such a talented group.
“It makes it more special because these people love what I love,” Wight said. “It’s cool to bond over the music and just to help each other grow as musicians.”
She added that she’s excited about the show and loves the theme of Juke Box Hero.
“I think it’s really unique. I’m really excited for our dances and for our group songs. I think they’re going to be really good,” Wight said.
