"I'm biting the hand that's feeding me by making fun of what they've done in the past," Goodrich said between rehearsals last week for the play "Zombie Prom."
An off-Broadway show that garnered a maniacal following in its heyday in the 1990s, "Zombie Prom" is based on a 1950s comic book, Goodrich said. The musical's star is a high school student who kills himself in a puddle of nuclear waste because the school's principal strictly forbids him from dating his girlfriend.
When the fleshy, mutated zombie returns just in time to take his love to the prom, it creates a satirical hysteria that will most likely make any "Grease" or "High School Musical" fan cringe.
The students admit the premise sounds slightly corny but insist it really is cool.
"The title doesn't do it justice," said sophomore Melia Jannotta.
But Goodrich is changing more than just what the students sing about.
For one, Goodrich noticed upon his arrival at Northwood that the school is strong in acting but weak in singing, so he cast "Zombie Prom" primarily on acting skills instead of the requisite singing skills. As a result, much of the cast is young and has no prior choral experience.
But what they lack in talent, the students make up for in discipline and exertion, thanks to Goodrich's exacting standards.
At a recent rehearsal, he appeared more like a football coach than a drama teacher — clutching his playbook, chomping his gum into oblivion and pacing below the stage.
Goodrich said he can't stand and won't tolerate second-rate performances, even at the most basic level of music musical theater.
"I don't see this as high-school theater. I see this as a private company," he said. "I won't allow mediocrity. I want professional theater."
The students have taken note. Upon their casting, Goodrich made them sign a contract demanding positive attitudes, punctuality and advanced notice if they're going to be late. And at the end of every rehearsal, students sit on stage with pencils and paper to take notes on the tweaks Goodrich and his team of musical advisors suggest.
"It's like a professional job," said Jeff Johns, the instrumental music and marching band director at Northwood. Johns said Goodrich is one of the first drama teachers he's seen who can actually start rehearsals and end them on time.
Goodrich's no-fuss direction is pointing Northwood theater in the right direction, said vocal director Michael Barker, who noted the school's new musical theater academy is still working to establish itself since the school opened in 2004.
"It definitely bumps us up a level," he said.
"Zombie Prom" will be oozing on stage 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at Northwood High's auditorium, 919 University Blvd. West. Tickets are $5 per student and $7 general admission, but Friday is $3 student night. Residents age 65 and older are admitted free.
