Take a ride with Madison High School Drama

Most of our area young thespians at the high school level are more concerned with prom season and commencement these days now that the spring musical season has largely wrapped up, but one local school gets to put an exclamation point on our area musicals each year, as they usually perform last in the area.

That school is Madison High School in eastern Lake County. They will present their annual spring musical this weekend, which, in some cases, is weeks after most schools have brought the curtain down on their own productions. But there is a very good reason for the wait.

Madison High School performs their musicals at the Ohio Historical Landmark that is Rabbit Run Theater. Rabbit Run is one of the few remaining authentic barn theaters in the region. Would you want to be there in early March? I think not!

For the first time, I have the privilege of directing the Madison High School musical myself after six years directing their middle school production in the fall. Our show this year is “On the Twentieth Century.” Performances are May 10-12 at 7:30 p.m. at the barn at 5648 Chapel Road in Madison.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors and are reserved. They can be purchased at the Rabbit Run box office, which opens 90 minutes prior to each performance. This is a barn theater that is enclosed but vulnerable to the outside air, so dress comfortably.

“On the Twentieth Century” features book and lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden and music by Cy Coleman. The story is based on plays by Ben Hecht, Charles McArthur, and Bruce Milholland, and is presented in cooperation with Samuel French.

“On the Twentieth Century” is a Tony Award-winning musical comedy that premiered on Broadway in 1978 with Judy Kaye, Madeline Kahn, and Kevin Kline, among others. It was revived on Broadway in a 2015 production with Kristin Chenoweth.

The story revolves around the actual historical train, the Twentieth Century Limited, which ran between New York City and Chicago in the 1930s. This luxurious passenger train actually derailed once in Lake County in Mentor, and actually passed through Madison! The Madison Blue Streaks— themselves named for a train — are happy to connect with this bit of local history.

Although a relatively popular show when it debuted — winning a Tony Award for Kline — “On the Twentieth Century” has not been performed by an area high school since Mentor High School did it in 1989, a performance I saw and enjoyed greatly. The Madison production features more than 25 kids in the cast, crew, and pit.

If you have never taken in a show at “the barn” or seen this production, you really should consider doing so. And if you do, be sure to say hello!

Fairmount Center for the Arts

The Fairmount Center for the Arts is ready to present the spring performances of the Youth Theatre Lab, “The Wizard of Oz.”

Performances will be held at Mayfield Village Civic Center at 6622 Wilson Mills Road in Mayfield Village. They will be held May 11 at 7:30 p.m., May 12 at 2 p.m. and May 13 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for those ages 62 years and older and children ages 3-12. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 440-338-3171 or will be available 30 minutes prior to each performance at the Mayfield Village Civic Center.

The well-known story features the classic tale of Dorothy who explores the Land of Oz in order to find her way home. There she meets the forgetful Scarecrow, the heartless Tin Man, and the timid Lion. She also encounters the Good Witch and her sister the Wicked Witch, as well as a mysterious Wizard.

Twenty area youth, ranging from ages 7-14 years, began rehearsals in February and these three weekend performances culminate this spring program. This program is directed by Patti Susman, choreographed by Merlynne Hancock, and the Musical Director is Joan Bendix. For more information, visit www.fairmountcenter.org.

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.