Mystic Pizza is a 1988 coming of age, dramatic rom-com directed by Donald Petrie. LSHS took on performing the beloved movie for the 2025 fall musical. Mystic Pizza follows the story of 3 working women and their journeys through love and life. 

Senior Ella Jeffries played Kat Arujo in Mystic Pizza. To prepare for each musical, she watches the movie and listens to the music. 

“My favorite part of theater has to be when you feel everything click. That feeling when everything you’ve been working hard on individually starts to flow together and become the whole show. It’s a bit hard to explain, but every time it happens, no matter how tired I am, I always get an extra pump of energy and adrenaline. This usually happens when dress rehearsals start up,” Jeffries said.

There are many different roles in the high school theater, such as technical crew, actors, ensemble, musicians, and so many more. The decision of which to choose varies based on personal interests.

“I chose to audition because theater is where I feel the most comfortable. I can be myself, no matter how stupid or silly. Theater is where I can push myself and learn new things about others. Of course I love performing, but I also love the experiences I gain from just being with people I love in the auditorium,” Jeffries said. 

Senior Alex Finch, as Tim Travers in Mystic Pizza, has done theater since he was 9 years old. Like any hobby, theater comes with challenges. 

“It [theater] isn’t all happy and fun, it can be really challenging to do and learn about. You have to basically become another person, and think what they would think and do, not what you would do,” Finch said.

Many famous actors have stepped back in their acting career due to stress, such as Michelle Williams, who took a step back from Once on This Island due to mental health. 

“Usually, I’m the one to set myself back. I tend to have a lot of self doubt, but I’ve been trying to overcome those thoughts for a while now. At first I didn’t think I’d ever do theater because I was so nervous about other people’s opinions and my own mental blocks,” Jeffries said. 

Aside from mental health setbacks, physical health setbacks occur often as well.

“The main setback I can think of which I think everyone can relate to is CONSTANTLY getting sick, I was worried I wouldn’t be at our brush up rehearsal because I was so sick I couldn’t sing. Medicine and my vocal nebulizer were my savior while I was sick, plus honey citrus mint tea,” senior Zoey Chuba said.

Senior Zoey Chuba played Leona Silvia in Mystic Pizza. Leona is the owner of the Mystic Pizza Shop. Similar to their problem solving in the pizza shop in the musical, problem solving is a strategy needed in real life. 

“A part of theatre that’s so cool is learning to problem solve right then and there. That in itself is what is so special about theatre,” junior Georgia Graves said.

Problems can arise easily in production, but the trick is to continue on like normal, as these actors do. Theater can be very time consuming, while these students spend countless hours rehearsing. 

“We don’t leave the school until around 10-10:30 [pm], it’s hard work but it’s always worth it to put on a great show,” Chuba said. 

Graves took on the lead role of Daisy Arujo in Mystic Pizza, has been doing theater since 5th grade. In Mystic Pizza, Daisy falls in love with a wealthy man while trying to prove herself as an individual as well. 

“I love slowly seeing the vision come together and getting to develop our characters and all the fun times with cast mates. Performing for an audience is my favorite thing but to succeed in theatre you have to love the process, the long rehearsals, the auditions, and the practice. And I love all of that,” Graves said.