They always say go out on a high note. So when Walnut Grove Secondary teacher Kevin Fatkin decided to retire after 30 years of teaching, it only seemed fitting that his school's final big production would be a musical revue.

Many of the shows in 6 Degrees of Broadway have been staged by Fatkin classes in the past at WGSS and other local schools. Fatkin said he and his wife love musicals so he's thrilled to share this art form with students.

"It is always a cool thing for me to have students singing songs that are not normally in a teen's repertoire," he said.

The show is Fatkin's version of six degrees of separation.

For instance, many stars are connected because they played the same role, or were in musicals written by the same composer, or played opposite someone who played opposite someone else.

Six students perform Everything's Coming up Roses from the play Gypsy because there have been six prominent actresses who performed it on Broadway.

"Through 23 songs the cast 'teaches' the audience about the many stars on Broadway who are connected to others," he explained.

The show also includes songs such as Hello Dolly, All That Jazz, Broadway Baby, Do You Love Me, and Bosom Buddies.

Showtimes are 7: 30 p.m. on Feb. 22-25, 28, 29, and March 1-3, with 2 p.m. matinees on Feb. 25, 26 and March 3.

Tickets are $10 and may be reserved by calling Theatre in the Grove at WGSS 604882-0220 (local 580.)

There are dessert shows Feb. 22, 25, and March 2. These are at 6: 30 p.m. Tickets are $18 which includes New York cheesecake, coffee or tea, and reserved seats. (This fundraiser is for students going to New York City on spring break.)

hcolpitts@langleyadvance.com