I don't think Rick has provided enough information for anyone to give sound advice.

Rick, why are you avoiding telling us who the audience really is? In other words, some time back, Peter T asked the class question: will you be playing to kids of upper class parents, or to kids who have been thown out of the public school system's mainstream schools? Both types of "alternative" high schools can be found inner city, and Peter is right, the audiences (and therefore your choice of material) would be completely different.

For us to help, we also need to know their race. Like it or not, and no matter how PC we think we are with "we are all the human race" sentiments, that is NOT the way inner city kids of color see it. And again, your choice of material can be different depending upon the group you are playing to, ie Latino, black, Asian, American Indian, or white. Whether the group is recent immigrants matters too.

I think people could give you some really solid advice if you would show more candor and honesty about your audience.

Just a thought.

Another issue you don't seem willing to mention here