Spring musical season March-es on

Last weekend was a busy one in Lake County for young thespians presenting their annual spring musicals.

There is a big one in Lake County again this weekend, but Geauga County seems to be the place to be this time with three local shows. Read on:

Willoughby South

Famous Ohio native Annie Oakley rides again at Willoughby South High School when its young thespians stage the Broadway musical classic “Annie Get Your Gun” this weekend. Performances are March 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m., March 16 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. and March 17 at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are available through www.weschools.org.

This classic comedy chronicles the real-life Wild West show Buffalo Bill hosted decades ago. “Annie Get Your Gun” is a show-within-a-show that tells the tall tale of how Annie Oakley became a rootin’ tootin’ shootin’ performer with classic songs like “Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better.” and “There’s No Business Like Show Business.”

Oakley (Kamryn Mohney) along the way falls for show star Frank Butler (Sean Cook). Will Frank’s ego allow him to like Annie, or is he determined to be the best shot in the show staged by Col. Buffalo Bill (Matt Rajko)?

Other key characters in this staging include Winnie Tate (Lavinia HallaranMclean) the younger sister of Frank’s bothersome assistant Dolly (Bri Clarke) and Tommy Keeler (Zach Barrus).

Some of the show with Indian chiefs and cowboys hasn’t aged well in the last 50 years or so, but this current version is better, according to Time magazine, “without losing all the fun. From the high energy opening number to the rousing, sure-fire finale this show hits the mark every time in a testament to the power of female ingenuity.”

Now that’s an idea that is indeed timely. Break a leg this weekend to all of the Willoughby South thespians and their famously student-led program.

West Geauga High School

West Geauga High School will present its spring musical this weekend, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” Performance dates are March 15 at 7 p.m., March 16 at 7 p.m., and March 17 at 2 p.m. Performances will take place on the stage at West Geauga Middle School, 8611 Cedar Road in Chester Township.

Tickets are available at the door. Prices are $10 for adults, and $7 for students and seniors. For more information, you are encouraged to call 440729-5922, ext 5402.

The story revolves around six middle-school misfits who are thrown into a cutthroat, highstakes competition. Pandemonium ensues for this Tony-Award winner.

West Geauga performers include Raeanna Cenni, Owen Weir, Eliza Gintert, Fin Keeler, Ben Anderson, Megan Speyer, Emma Moore, and Bennett Palmer. The show is directed by Alli St. John and produced and music directed by Melanie Kennedy. Also… If you want to make it a Geauga County tri-fecta, there are two additional schools also performing this weekend.

Chardon High School is presenting the modern classic “Grease” on March 14, 15 and 16 at 7 p.m. and March 17 at 2 p.m. And Cardinal High School will present its annual spring musical, “Bye Bye Birdie” on March 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m. and March 17 at 3 p.m.

Break a leg to all of these area young thespians this weekend!

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.

Young Thespians Steve Couch