Like a good musical, Natalie Kmetz’s career as Jim Thorpe drama director ended with a grand finale.

A cast of performers from throughout her 39-year career returned for Kmetz’s 50th and final show Friday night at Jim Thorpe Area High School.

“We really wanted to support her in the final show, and it’s fun getting back up there and living through those memories again with her,” said Bridget McFadden, a 2013 Jim Thorpe graduate.

The show “Through the years… Remember when,” looked back on all of Kmetz’s shows and featured the alumni performing more than a dozen songs from their shows. Past winners of the Jim Thorpe Idol contest, which Kmetz also directed, also sang.

“So many wonderful memories, so many wonderful kids showed they cared enough to come out again with me,” Kmetz said.

Because Kmetz staged shows like “Grease,” “West Side Story” and “Footloose” multiple times, alumni from different eras got to perform together.

Current Jim Thorpe Senior Carson Queen said he was honored to share the stage with actors who he knew by reputation.

“Some of them are considered Jim Thorpe legends,” he said.

The actors only spent a week rehearsing together, but their performance showed that performing was a memorable part of their high school days.

“This was an integral part of my experience as a teenager,” said Samantha Bacher, who graduated in 2013.

Kmetz had a directing style that pushed them to do their best, without being overbearing. Josiah Behrens, who graduated in 2015, recalled how her support helped him to become a lead actor and eventually pursue theater as a career.

“She really shaped me into the person I am and the performer I am today,” he said.

On top of directing one or more shows per year, Kmetz also directed the Jim Thorpe Idol contest between. Several of the idol winners performed Friday night and recalled the positive impact that Kmetz had on them.

“She played a big part in my high school career and developing as a person,” said Hailey (Hoherchak) Wolf, the 2009 winner, who also acted in plays.

Richard Leone repeated his winning performance of Righteous Brothers’ “Unchained Melody” - and a new original song. He said the contest was a milestone for him.

“I had never won anything in my life. It was also the first stage I had ever stepped on,” Leone said.

Tim Marchetto, who Kmetz recruited to judge the idol contests, and actually advanced to the Hollywood rounds of “American Idol,” returned to dedicate a Frankie Valli song to her.

The show’s Andy Yurchak, who also hosted the Idol shows, recalled the way that Kmetz impacted her students.

“If you knew this lady, she made you a better person,” he said.

Kmetz said that her ‘last hurrah’ was bittersweet, being ready to step away after 39 years, but also feeling sad that she will miss the students she directed. She thanked all the parents and community members who came out to celebrate the show - and especially the actors.

“You made my night, and these guys made my life,” she said.