COEUR d’ALENE — The warm smell of popcorn being popped filled the air. The lights were up. The stage was set, and the actors warmed up by dancing and singing their way through the titular number from “Little Shop of Horrors.”

“Do what you need to do to make a great show,” Lake City High School teacher and theater director Daniel Bell instructed the cast and crew.

Lake City was recently selected as one of 16 schools to receive a $10,000 grant through the Educational Theatre Foundation, The Music Man Foundation and Music Theatre International to produce an updated version of Meredith Willson's musical, "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" in the 2024-25 school year.

“The chance to have a show fully paid for is a dream come true for a high school drama teacher," Bell said. "The vast majority of people have no idea what it takes to put on a play or a musical."

Bell said he had a great time watching “Molly Brown” as a child, so when he saw the grant announcement to help schools fund the show, he leaped at the chance to bring it to North Idaho.

The musical has heavy themes about charity, women's suffrage, equal rights, civic participation, and immigration.

“Lake City is the only school in Idaho that was able to get one of these grants and will be the first school that we know of in the region to produce ‘The Unsinkable Molly Brown’ ever,” Bell said.

The musical includes a new, revised version of the show ahead of its general release to theatrical organizations in 2024.

Bell hopes the show will be a bridge for students to understand the big and brassy flair of classic musicals and get them a wider understanding of the musical genre beyond modern hits like "Heathers" and "Hamilton."

“I want them to participate in not just the theatrical aspects of the production, but also how we use the show to connect with the community, reach out to different organizations, and evaluate the way people like Molly Brown have left lasting impacts we see today through various policies, organizations and social changes,” Bell said.

Most musicals cost around $8,000 or more to produce and Bell said the last three musicals produced at Lake City cost between $7,000 and $8,000 each, with the fear of losing money always looming if the theater department has an unexpected production cost or isn't able to make up the money in tickets or concessions.

Receiving the grant allows the show not to be constricted by a shoestring budget.

“With this grant, we have the flexibility to do more as far as set, music, costumes, and props,” Bell said.

“The Unsinkable Molly Brown” is the rags-to-riches love story of Molly and Johnny Brown, owners of the richest mine in the U.S. at the turn of the 20th century. The show features music and lyrics by Meredith Willson (“The Music Man”) and book and additional lyrics by Tony-nominated author Dick Scanlan based on the original book by Richard Henry Morris.

With songs like “I'll Never Say No” and “I Ain't Down Yet,” Bell wants students to experience the thrill of shaping a production from start to finish while learning about the incredible life of Molly Brown and her activism.

”Large shows that need multiple set locations, costumes with various social classes, and tons of props will require a lot of work from these kids. They will be challenged,” Bell said.

    Lake City High School students dance and sing to the title number of "Little Shop of Horrors" to warm up before a performance. From left, Tyson Karlinsey, Jadzia McConnell, Juno Otis and Rebekah Selby.