The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Theater options in 3 counties this weekend
Consider sparing an evening or two for area thespians, who are busy across three counties this weekend.
You may be tempted to stay outdoors all weekend long with the temperatures finally getting above freezing. But consider sparing an evening or two for our area young thespians, who are busy across three counties this weekend!
Read on:
Perry High School
Perry High School in Lake County invites you to come and be their guest this weekend as they present “Beauty and the Beast” at the school’s Goodwin Theatre on April 13 and 14 at 7 p.m. and on April 15 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students and seniors. They can be purchased at www.ticketroar.com but you must be using a desktop or laptop to choose your seats as that function will not work on tablets or mobile devices.
This “tale as old as time,” according to the title song, is actually more of a modern classic now, thanks to the successful Broadway version of the famous animated Disney film that was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture for 1991. The live-action film that added to the story was one of the biggest box office hits of last year, showing that the story has not lost its popularity.
It has also become a popular community theater and school option, despite the spectacular costumes and sets.
Fortunately, co-director Allen Kellogg tells me that in addition to his codirector Beth Singer, Perry has an extremely talented cast of young thespians to make it all come together. One of those students is junior Angela Vicini who plays Belle, the “beauty” referred to in the title.
“When I heard the musical this year would be ‘Beauty and the Beast’ I knew I had to audition,” Angela says. “Everyone has been very supportive of each other and we have all worked extremely hard to make this show the spectacular classic that the community will surely love. Our pit, tech, and stage crew do so much for us and the show and I hope everyone gives them the credit they deserve.”
“This musical is probably the most extravagant musical I have ever been a part of,” says junior Jaren Hodgson, who plays the beast. “From the music, the costumes, and our amazing set, this show is bigger than anything I have been a part of. Ever since I was little, I have been an avid Disney fan and being able to play such an iconic character is a dream come true. I recently received a letter reminding me to thank everyone to support me so I thought being in the news paper would be the perfect platform to do that. I want to thank all of my supporters and people who care about me and my craft. I have been doing this for many years and I especially want to thank Phil and Tasha Hodgson. My parents have done everything to put me in the best position to succeed and I will thank them forever for that. All in all the experience of being in ‘Beauty and the Beast’ has been magical and something I will remember forevermore.”
Mission accomplished, Jaren. See? Not so beastly. But we all knew that, right? Oops — sorry, no spoilers!
Mayfield High School
In Cuyahoga County, Mayfield High School will be presenting another Disney animated film made into a musical, “The Little Mermaid.” The production will feature over 50 high school performers and musicians along with over 20 students from Mayfield’s middle and elementary schools.
Performances are April 13, 14, 20 and 21 at 7 p.m. and April 15 and 22 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors and are available in advance at www.mayfieldvocalmusic.org and may be available at the door, day of show (cash only).
A special dinner with the cast will be held following the April 15 show at 5 p.m. Tickets for the dinner are $10 and are available through www. mayfieldvocalmusic.org.
Mayfield’s production of “The Little Mermaid” will be participating in this year’s Dazzle Awards through Cleveland’s Playhouse Square.
“Our entire production team has worked very hard to create a real separation of the two worlds, land and under the sea,” says director Larry Braun. “All of the sets, lighting effects, choreography, and costumes were designed with that in mind. We have taken a different artistic approach to this show by including a children’s chorus of 44 elementary and middle school students (22 each weekend) who are playing various sea creatures. There are over 150 people involved in this production from cast, crew, orchestra, and production staff.”
Mayfield’s production features custom made puppets, special lighting effects, and many more surprises. Break a leg to the Mayfield community!
Kenston High School
Don’t worry, Geauga County. You’ve got some options this weekend as well, starting with Kenston Center Stage’s production of “The Addams Family.”
Performances are April 13 and 14 at 7 p.m. and April 15 at 2 p.m. in the Kenston High School auditorium. Tickets are available online at kenstonlocal.org/khs/ and at the door, one hour before each performance.
Emily Leone supervises another popular recent Broadway production with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. Directors Julie Green, Emily Leone, and Shannon Wirthwein bring the original story for the stage to life. The plot surrounds the macabre Addams family of Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Pugsley, Uncle Fester, Grandmama and Lurch who are well-known to fans of the original comic and 1990s Hollywood film and its sequel.
“We are so excited for everyone to come see this sharp-witted and visually striking show!” says Leone, who is the choreographer and assistant director. “My directing team and I are extremely proud of this hard-working group of students and we feel that it is quite apropos to open this particular show on Friday the 13th.”
“Being stage manager has been an amazing experience that has broaden my horizons and emboldened me to continue a career in theater and to encourage others to join as well,” says senior stage manager Kaila Walker. “I am grateful to have been a part of the Kenston Center Stage Family.”
Even if they are positively ooky.
Euclid High School
And if you are in Cuyahoga County, don’t forget the Big Show!
Euclid High School’s annual musical extravaganza is yet another popular modern production —“In the Heights” featuring music from Lin Manuel Miranda of Broadway’s “Hamilton” and Disney’s film “Moana.”
Performances are April 12, 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. and April 14 and 15 at 2 p.m. at the school. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Call the high school at 216797-7800 for more information.
“’In The Heights’ was chosen this year for Big Show because it is the 10th anniversary of the show appearing on Broadway and winning The Tony for Best Musical in 2008,” says director Ken Ferlito. “’Hamilton’ coming to Cleveland also influenced our selection. The students are having a blast performing this musical. The music is upbeat and the hip-hop/rap style of music has been fun for the students to sing, as well as performing our choreography.”
“The story is so real and modern,” says Izzy Johnson, who plays Nina. “The audience will be able to connect to all the characters in the show”.
“There are lessons to learn about community and feeling a sense of home and belonging,” says Ethan Clark, who plays Usnavi.
“It is a fun show for the performers and the audience,” adds Leroy Berts, who plays Benny “The show is up-to-date and you feel the happiness and the struggles of the each of the characters.”
Euclid High is participating in Playhouse Squares Dazzle Awards for the third year and is looking forward to The Dazzle Awards presentation on May 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Connor Palace Theater at Playhouse Square.
Break a leg to these ambitious young thespians.
Newbury High School
And finally, director Jack Tayek leads Newbury High School into performance weekend with their annual spring musical, “Annie.”
Like the “Addams Family,” “Annie” is based on a popular 1930s comic strip by Harold Gray. It has since become a worldwide phenomenon and was the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The beloved book and score by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, features classic songs like “Hard Knock Life” and “Tomorrow.” It has also been made into at least three different film versions.
Performances are April 13 and 14. Call the school for more information at 440-564-2281.
Young Thespians is a regular column that focuses on youth in theater. Do you have a production you wish to see featured? E-mail stevecouch@windstream.net, follow me @StevenRCouch on Twitter or join our “Young Thespians” Facebook group and post your show information.