Rise

Rise is a musical drama series inspired by Michael Sokolove’s 2013 book Drama High. The series premiered in 2018 and was canceled after one season.

Inspired by real-life teacher Lou Volpe and the famed theater program at Harry S. Truman High School, Rise follows Lou “Mr. Mazzu” Mazzuchelli (Josh Radnor) as he takes over Stanton High School’s theater program.

Other characters include his wife Gail (Marley Shelton), assistant director Tracey Wolfe (Rosie Perez), drama club member Lilette Suarez (Auli’i Cravalho), quarterback Robbie Thorne (Damon J. Gillespie), Lillette’s mother Vanessa (Shirley Rumierk), football coach Sam Strickland (Joe Tippett), drama club member Simon Saunders (Ted Sutherland) and Coach Strickland’s daughter Gwen (Amy Forsyth).