Spring musical season takes off

Spring is not here officially, and don’t let that groundhog within firing range because his “early spring” prognostication seems like so much “fake news” at the moment.

But the spring musicals are definitely here, so it can’t be much farther around the corner!

Read on for a busy weekend on Lake County stages:

Fairport Harding High School

The Fairport Harbor Schools Theatre Department invites you to a wedding…with a twist! They will be performing the Broadway hit musical “Mamma Mia” on March 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m. and March 10 at 2 p.m. at the school’s Branthoover Auditorium.

Tickets are $10 general admission on a first-come, firstserve basis. The show is rated PG and runs approximately 2 hours.

A wedding reception will be held immediately after the show with donations to the theater program accepted for hors d’oeuvres.

“I grew up loving ABBA songs like ‘Dancing Queen’ and ‘Lay All Your Love On Me,’” says director Johnathan Luster of the 1970s Swedish pop band whose music catalog makes up the show’s soundtrack.

“When I found out they finally released the rights to perform this show, I jumped at the chance and immediately filled out the application,” he said. “The rest is history. We are so excited to bring this music to life on our stage here in Fairport.”

Music Director Jennifer Dubeansky, choreographer Dr. Erin Avram, costume designer Cindy Tilson, professional set designer Greg Pribulsky, and media director/photographer Emily Morlan round out the creative team.

Luster says for the first time since he began directing three years ago, they were able to build a usable set and have it built at the beginning of rehearsal so the kids could interact with it.

“Thanks to Greg’s time and talent over Christmas break with the help of many students and parents, rehearsals began with an amazing set,” Luster says. “We have some familiar faces in our cast from last year’s award-winning ‘Addams Family’ production and we are excited to have some new talent as well.”

New to the stage is Vanessa Yowell, playing “Sophie,” and Mitch Myers as her fiancé “Sky.”

The show will be bittersweet as many of the FHS students will take the stage for the last time together.

Two of the singing sensations from “Donna & the Dynamos” are played by senior Victoria Palmer and her sister Gabrielle Palmer. As “Donna” and “Tanya,” they will share the stage with the third “Dynamo,” Maya Hess as “Rosie,” and harmonize together for their final performance as FHS students.

Other seniors include Amanda Kazsmer, Breanna Cremeans, Mason Conn and Nick Fazekas.

“Often unique to a small town, students perform in FHS theater as early as middle school,” Luster says. “This talented group of seniors has grown up on the stage together and will take many wonderful memories with them and hopefully, they will continue to perform in theater programs beyond high school.”

Thomas W. Harvey High School

Thomas W. Harvey High School, under director Kim Hildack, is preparing “A Little Princess for a premiere this weekend.

Performances are March 8 at 7 p.m., March 9 at 2 and 7 p.m., and March 10 at 2 p.m. at the school’s auditorium at 200 W. Walnut St. in Painesville. Tickets are all general admission and are $6 for adults and $4 for students.

Written by Tony-nominated composer/lyricist Andrew Lippa and Brian Crawley, “A Little Princess” is based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, which was honored by School Library Journal as one of the “Top 100 Chapter Books” of all time. This re-imagined version of the classic tale expands beyond the confines of Victorian England to Africa, giving the writers ample opportunity to include lively African music and dance.

“‘A Little Princess’ portrays the richness of a life influenced by a tapestry of different cultures which is something that we value in Painesville,” Hildack tells me. “It also depicts the challenges of navigating a complex social environment and the central importance of family bond. ‘A Little Princess’ is not only an entertaining story, but it also provides us with an opportunity to reflect upon matters which are important in our own lives.”

Hildack is assisted by assistant director Frank Ivancic and choreographer Hannah Green.

This is the fourth year the spring musical has competed in Playhouse Square Dazzle Awards program.

Harvey received Dazzle nominations in 2018 for Best Actor for Malik Montgomery as Donkey and Best Featured Performer for Samantha Tackett as Gingy/Sugar Plum Fairy in “Shrek the Musical.”

You can learn more about their program by “liking” “Harvey Choirs” on Facebook and follow @HarveyChoirs on Twitter and Instagram or contact Drama Director Kim Hildack at kimberly.hildack@pcls.net or 440-392-5170.

Riverside High School

Riverside High School students will be “Seiz(ing) the Day” and presenting “Newsies” on March 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $8 presale or $10 at the door. Reserved seating is sold out. Tickets are available at rivtheatre.booktix.com.

Delving into the power of the press, senior Ben Capella as Jack will lead the strike against media giant Pulitzer (Noah Gullett) with help from Katherine (Rebecca Zurilla), Davey (Frank Sanzo), and Davey’s little brother Les, played by LaMuth seventh-grader Nathan Gaspersic.

Jack will let the “World Will Know” how amazing this generation is. Jack works to protect his friends, including Crutchie (Ryan Poje), who work for pennies a paper before he leaves for Santa Fe. Standing by the principal of educational theatre, this show teaches about the history of the Newboys Strike of 1899 as well as the importance of journalism, standing up for others, and believing in yourself.

After all, as Medda (Julia Ringler) says, the “theater isn’t just entertaining, it’s educational.”

“Our students have embraced this show and poured their hearts and souls into this production,” says director Laura Poje. “I am very proud of them for their hard work and dedication. One of the songs in ‘Newsies’ states, ‘there’s a change coming once and for all,’ and I believe that to be true.

“Sometimes the press makes us worry what the future holds for us in the hands of this generation, but I am going to tell you that these students give me faith in the world and in this generation.”

No “fake news” in Painesville Township this weekend, it sounds like.

Andrews Osborne Academy

Finally, Andrews Osborne Academy just completed “The Diary of Anne Frank” last month, but the middle-schoolers now get their turn with “Aladdin Jr.” on March 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. at the school in Willoughby.

Disney’s “Aladdin, Jr.” is based on the 1992 Academy-Awardwinning film and the 2014 hit Broadway show about the “diamond in the rough” street rat named Aladdin.

Aladdin and his three friends, Babkak, Omar, and Kassim, are down on their luck until Aladdin discovers a magic lamp and the Genie who has the power to grant three wishes. Wanting to earn the respect of the princess, Jasmine, Aladdin embarks on an adventure that will test his will and his moral character.

The show features hit songs like, “Friend Like Me” and “A Whole New World.” This familyfriendly show is appropriate for all ages.

Steve Couch Young Thespians