By: Kat Littfin
Editorial Editor
Fractured Follies is an annual variety show that LGHS teachers and staff put on together to entertain their students and broader LG community. This year, the performances took place on May 21 and May 22 in the Prentiss Brown auditorium.
As the show dates were approaching, the enthusiasm among students and staff was palpable. Senior Lylie Cheri, who has been on the tech crew for the show for the past four years, pointed out one of her favorite traditions of the actual performance: “The crew is always invited on stage for the last two songs. We just dance along with the teachers. It’s so fun.” Outside of the crew, the LGHS teachers and staff were entirely responsible for putting on the show at LGHS. Paris DeSoto organized and directed the event, aided by producer Chris Chiodo and emcees Kurt Kroesche and Kevin Rogers. Teachers across several departments opted in to perform many skits that they prepared and rehearsed for weeks. Melissa Rofer, a new teacher at LGHS this year, described her experience as a Fractured Follies rookie: “I went to see [DeSoto] and all the other staff in the show last year when I was long-term subbing, and I was hopeful that I would be here next year so I could participate as well.” She emphasized that the experience has been somewhat nostalgic as she was a part of the theater program at LGHS during her high school years. Rofer exclaimed, “I love dancing and being silly and having fun, so I was excited to do that with my peers.”
Along with new teachers, two retiring teachers also took part in their last Fractured Follies performance. Cathy Messenger, who is teaching her final year at LGHS, was initially apprehensive about being a part of the show: “Even though I was really nervous to be up on stage, I tried it and had way more fun than I thought I’d have. The big part of it is actually connecting with teachers and other departments you don’t see most of the time.” Assistant Principal Kristi Grasty also performed in her final show after having been a part of it since its inception. Grastyi reflected that she is in awe of “the energy that all these amazingly talented peers of mine bring at the end of the year, when it’s arguably the most hectic…It’s a way we give back to students and say our farewell to seniors. It embodies the best of our school.”
Outside of the show’s entertainment value, this year’s Follies will also benefit the San Jose Firefighters Burn Foundation. According to Fire Captain Mike Moses, E8A, an executive board member of the organization: “Every dollar raised goes directly to burn survivors who are being treated at the burn unit at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose…Burn injuries leave physical scars, but the emotional pain and suffering often take a lifetime to overcome. The foundation is honored to be recognized by the 2026 Fractured Follies.” Principal Dave Poetzinger described the show as a “celebration of our family this year” and a way to capture what it means to be a Wildcat.