The world is ending March 23, so get your tickets now. ‘Talent Showpocalypse 2012″—the name of this year’s Talent Show—will feature over 22 acts ranging from hip-hop groups to Chinese yo-yo. The show will have one of the biggest and broadest casts yet, director Grace Laboy, a senior, said.

Musical performances from bands and instrumentalists cover a wide mix of musical genres and styles including rock, jazz, and easy-listening.  Although the show consists of mostly musical acts, it will also feature other performances including Drumline and SMOP.

“I’m really proud of the variety and versatility of this show,” Laboy said. “We have over 100 different people in this show, so we’re really giving everybody an opportunity to perform.”

Sophomore Carson Lystad, who will appear in four musical acts, values the professional setting of the auditorium and the opportunity to be a part of such a large production.

“Playing onstage in the auditorium with lights, ramps and special effects is an awesome experience for a musician,” he said. “It’s pretty magical.”

For senior Tyler Fyock, who will be playing guitar and singing Aerosmith’s 1975 hit, “Walk This Way,” with his band “Fyocktopus,” talent show is a great opportunity to collaborate with friends. After twelve years of friendship, Fyock and his friends decided to combine their musical talents and just jam, he said.

“If your face isn’t melted by the time we’re done rocking, then you need to get out,” he said.

To break up the acts, Talent Show will feature skits that satirize current Whitman events and fads and relate to the show’s central theme. This year’s story follows a boy, played by senior Sam Woodbury, who receives a list of prophecies. Each time the prophecy comes true, the world comes closer to its end, Laboy said.

But this theme doesn’t just stem from the Mayan calendar’s supposed predictions of our demise, Laboy said.

“Everyone feels like the world is going to end sometimes,” she said.  “We go to Whitman and everyone has lots of everyday stresses and struggles. I think the whole ‘living every day like it’s your last’ theme pertains well to the show.”

What really sets this show apart is its wide range of participants. The show attracts many students who may be unfamiliar with the stage.

“Often, you’ll see people and say ‘oh, I didn’t know they acted,’ or ‘I didn’t know they were that funny,”’ said assistant director Rachel Arnesen, a junior. “That’s what’s different about Talent Show.”