The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Spring musical season March-es in
This is about as busy as it gets for our local young thespians, so let me dispense with the pleasantries and preserve as much space as possible for you to learn about all of the great performances you can catch this weekend.
Willoughby South
Willoughby South Drama Club brings their annual spring musical to life this week with their production of “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.”
All performances will be at the school March 15-17 at 7:30 p.m., a March 17 matinee at 2:30, and March 18 at 5:30. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors and can be purchased in advance at www. weschools.org/ theater-tickets.aspx.
“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” is a popular recent Broadway musical comedy based on the 1980s movie starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine about two con artists that cross paths and decide to work together in a contest to defraud their chosen target for the right to exclusively work the turf of the French Riviera.
Diana Brnjic is the student director and is assisted with stage management by Riley McLaughlin and technical direction from Mitchell McLaughlin — all a part of the Willoughby South philosophy of having students run every aspect of the production.
The cast features seniors Noah Pigza (Lawrence Jameson), Max Brodzinski (Freddy Benson), Lauren Vittori (Christine Colgate), Gina Kucmanic (Muriel Eubanks), junior Kamryn Mohney (Jolene Oakes), and sophomore Sean Cook (Andre Thibault).
“Being in the musical is amazing because I get to share the stage with people who I love and have always inspired me,” says Kamryn.
“I love being able to bring such an incredibly funny story to life with my closest friends,” agrees fellow castmate Lauren.
Break a leg to these young thespians and their equally young crew!
Fairport Harding
The Fairport Harbor Schools Theatre Department is proud to present “The Addams Family” this weekend under secondyear director Johnathan Luster.
Performances are March 16-17 at 7 p.m. and March 18 at 2 p.m. in the Branthoover Auditorium at Fairport Harding High School. Tickets are $5 per person on a firstcome, first-serve basis at the door or pre-sale at the high school office.
Doors open one hour before curtain, and seating is 30 minutes prior to the start of the performance. The show runs approximately 2 ½ hours with a 15 minute intermission, and light refreshments will be available. Information can be found at www.fhevs.org or contact Harding High School at 440-354-5400.
As an added bonus, kids can come early to enjoy free crafts, photo props, and are encouraged to dress up as their favorite Addams Family member. You might even be able to get a signed autograph and your picture taken with your favorite character after the show!
In the small world of Fairport Harbor, a production this size requires a community effort, and indeed that is what they have done here by fielding a cast that utilizes students from the high school, middle school and elementary school.
“I’m encouraged by some of the young, strong, musical talent I have seen in Fairport already this year,” Luster writes, “with the assistance of choreographer and Fairport chemistry teacher, Dr. Erin Allen, who has infused the show with some energetic dance numbers to delight the audience.“
Luster also works with kindergarten teacher Jennifer Dubeansky, as the music director. Costumes, make-up, lights, sound and set design have all been touched by students in the show.
Don’t skip this positively ooky production this weekend.
Cardinal High School
As you consider your performance options this weekend, Geauga County patrons should note that they have multiple options as well. One of those is at Cardinal High School where their young thespians under director Josh Esenwine is ready to present “Seussical the Musical” on March 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m. and March 18 at 3 p.m.
A new modern favorite, “Seussical” is a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza based on the writings of Dr. Seuss, aka Ted Geisel. Tony winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty — the minds behind “Once on This Island” and “Ragtime” — bring to life all of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie and a little boy with a big imagination — Jojo.
Join Cardinal as they take you from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos.
Chardon High School
Chardon is presenting a less-performed spring musical this year with a production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Evita.”
The production runs March 15-17 at 7 p.m. and March 18 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students.
All performances will take place at Park Auditorium on Chardon Square across from the county court house.
“We have a great cast and are very proud of this challenging and seldom done production,” says director Fritz Streiff.
Grand Valley High
And if you are out in Ashtabula County, you can catch Grand Valley High School’s production of “Shrek” March 16-17 at 7 p.m. There will also be a 2 p.m. matinee on the 17th.
Tickets are $5 at the door, and concessions open one hour prior to any performance. There are over 85 young thespians from Grand Valley involved in this production, so make sure to give them an audience, Ashtabula!
Memorial Middle School
And finally, for the 10th year in a row — that’s getting to be some serious years — I will be throwing my own directing hat into the ring again at Memorial Middle School in Mentor for our annual spring musical.
The production this year is “Anything Goes, Jr.,” featuring the music of Cole Porter. Performances are March 15-17 at 7:30 p.m. and March 17 at 2 p.m. in the historic school Auditorium. General admission tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, and free for children 2 and under. All tickets are general admission and will be available at the door or through advance purchase at the school’s main office.
“Anything Goes” features music and lyrics by Cole Porter, book by Guy Bolton, P.G. Wodehouse, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. The new book is by Timothy Crouse and John Weidman. “Anything Goes” is presented through special arrangement with Tams-Witmark in New York City.
“Anything Goes” features Billy Crocker and his efforts to win the heart of Hope Harcourt. Along the way, he will have to dodge the advances of nightclub singer Reno Sweeney and Public Enemy #13, Moonface Martin! The classic musical standards from Cole Porter include modern classics like “You’re the Top,” “Friendship,” and the title song.
“Anything Goes” features almost 75 kids in the cast and the crew. As usual, I have enjoyed working with music director Lois Davis and accompanist Sherry Niederkorn, as well as choreographer Sara Tackett. Technical direction is from Janet Mobily and set construction by Richard Radovanic.
Come on out to see us, and if you do, be sure to say hello!