Drama students at Palos Verdes High School...

Drama students at Palos Verdes High School are putting an extra burst of energy into “Guys and Dolls,” the spring musical that opens on campus Thursday at 7:30 p.m. “It’s the last show and we have to make it the best show,” said senior Leah Chang, who plays Sarah Brown in the classic musical.

With the high school slated to close at the end of the school year, its drama department is winding up a history of theater with the lively musical about Broadway gamblers and chorines. “The last performance will be very emotional for all of us,” said Jim Bell, who has directed 30 shows in his 10 years as head of the department.

“There’s a sadness about this,” said junior Christopher Tipton, who plays Nathan Detroit. “There’s a long tradition of really good shows here, and this is the last one.” But mingled with the melancholy is excitement about a bigger and better department when the Palos Verdes Peninsula’s three high schools are combined into one this fall.

Senior Heather Lawrence, the show’s Miss Adelaide, said the new department will be able to do a wider variety of plays. And there will be a “real theater with seats and a stage.” At Palos Verdes High, shows are performed in a multipurpose room, which is also used for dances and serves as a lunchroom on rainy days.

“The change will be good for the kids,” Bell said. “But I’ll miss this space. We’ve done so many crazy things here.”

After opening night, “Guys and Dolls” plays Friday through March 3 and March 6 through 10. The school is at 600 Cloyden Road, Palos Verdes Estates. Information: 541-7315.