Seems like this has been done before. A controversial performance wants to be done, the higher ups don't want it done, kids/teacher protests, the show goes on.
One of the students on the football team and getting poor grades in the class of the same teacher that is also directing the theater group. The teacher finds out how good the student sings and wants him in the performance of 'Spring Awakening' . The coach agrees, but as long as the teacher gives the student (the team's top player) a passing grade on a test, which he had been given a D, which at that point according to school district policy couldn't play football. The student is also upset about not being able to play, because a college scholarship is involved. Which doesn't make sense, if he is getting crappy grades in high school what does he expect to do in college, if he could even get in? An example of sports being favored over education.
The kids start rehearsing 'Spring Awakening', the principle finds out about the subject matter and says no, they have to do 'Pirates of Penzance' instead, a tamer play.
The teacher, his assistant (also a teacher at the school) and the students decide to retaliate by gathering up the pirates costumes and burn them (arson, destruction of school property). Instead of the teachers getting fired, the students suspended or expelled, they get rewarded by the principal giving in and allowing them do the first play.
Of course there was the football student saying he wouldn't play in the upcoming game, possibly causing a game loss (extortion).
So if you don't get your way, destroy something.
The main story is about the teacher wanting to do controversial things such as the play, but 20 years from now what's going to be more important, what you learned in school for a life career, or what play you did.
I probably won't be watching any more episodes.
Review of Rise
