High school musical roundup
Here’s an overview of upcoming shows at area schools. Shows are listed in chronological order.
“9 to 5” 7:30 p.m. March 6-9
The Chartiers Valley Performing Arts Department will put on “9 to 5” in the school auditorium. The musical comedy, based off the hit movie starring Dolly Parton, tells the tale of three friends who scheme to take control of the company they work for. Everything goes out of control as they plot getting even with their egotistical and lying boss. The rating of the content is PG.
Leads include Megan Henderson as Doralee, Rocki Boulis as Violet, Ranae McIntyre as Judy, and Matthew Guerry as Hart.
Tickets are $10 for reserved seating. Seniors citizens may receive a free ticket to any night of the show in general admission seating. Sales will occur Tuesdays and Thursdays at the school’s main entrance from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., as well as Tuesday evenings in the auditorium lobby from 6-7 p.m. Will call tickets are also available by calling 412-276-7843 and leaving a message with a name and correct spelling, phone number, number of tickets, and date the tickets wish to be used. Tickets will also be available at the door on show nights.
“Anything Goes” 6:30 p.m. March 7; and 7:30 p.m. March 8 and 9
This “boy-meets-girl” comedy is about a stowaway, Billy Crocker, who is trying to win the heart of heiress Hope Harcourt. Featuring the memorable songs of Cole Porter, such as “Friendship,” “I Get A Kick Out Of You” and “Anything Goes,” the musical is set on an ocean liner traveling from New York to London. Characters such as nightclub singer Reno Sweeney and Public Enemy No. 13 Moonface Martin help Billy in his quest to woo the girl, who is engaged to Sir Evelyn Oakley.
“The show is a rib-tickler, toe-tapper, Cole Porter song festival, and one of the most jazzy orchestrations … and our audiences have been adoring it,” exclaimed Paul Fox, performing arts curriculum leader at USC.
Billy Crocker will be played by Nick Sembrat, and Hope Harcourt will be portrayed by Jillian Vlah. Other leads include Morgan Mogenmiller and Hannah Lane as Reno Sweeney, Ben Nadler as Moonface Martin, and Daniel Finkel as well as Luke Graci as Sir Evelyn Oakley.
This year’s show will include a 12-foot high set with the “band director” on top, a revolving stage for nearly instant scene changes, and solo trumpet player Ben Humbert “Go Gabriel Go” in tux and on set.
Tickets are $12 for adults before show day and $15 at the door. Student tickets are $5, and non-resident senior citizens tickets are $5. Upper St. Clair senior citizens who can provide a valid USC Gold or Silver Card or PennDot ID may receive two complementary tickets to the show. The box office, located in the Art’s Lobby of Upper St. Clair High School, is open from 10:30 a.m.-noon Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, in addition to 6:30-8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday evenings. Tickets can also be purchased in a one-hour period before the show. Call 412-851-2060 for additional information.
“The Sound of Music” 7:30 p.m. March 7-9; 2:30 p.m. March 9
With music by Richard Rogers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, the musical follows the story of the young nun, Maria, as she starts her governess job at the Von Trapp household. She teaches the seven children to sing and brings Captain Von Trapp to love, but the whole family is forced to flee when the Nazis invade Austria.
The large cast includes Sarah Chelli as Maria, Dan Buker as Captain Von Trapp, April Currey as Mother Abbess, Jake Volanski as Max, and Nicole Castelli as Elsa Shraeder.
The show will take place in the Canon-McMillan High School auditorium. Tickets are $7.
“Once Upon a Mattress” 7:30 p.m. March 8 and 9
Jefferson Middle School students will present the musical comedy “Once Upon a Mattress” in the Jefferson Auditorium located on Moffett Street. The play is an adaptation of the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale “The Princess and the Pea.”
Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for students. For ticket information, contact Janice Cherry, Jefferson Middle School, at 412-344-2120.
“Once Upon a Mattress”
7:30 p.m. March 14-16
The musical is a whole new take on “The Princess and the Pea.” The familiar classic courtship, carried by a wave of songs and hilarious comedy, provides some laughter-inducing shenanigans. You’ll never look at the fairytale the same way again.
For ticket information, visit www.chbucs.k12.pa.us/pages/Chartiers-Houston_SD and click on “Chartiers Houston Jr./Sr. High School.”
“Jesus Christ Superstar”
7:30 p.m. March 14-16
The musical is loosely based on the last week of Jesus’ life according to the Gospel. It opens with the preparation for the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem and ends with his crucifixion. The rock show, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyrics by Time Rice, brings the last seven days in the life of Jesus of Nazareth into modern terms.
Tickets are $8 for reserved seats. To order tickets, visit slshs.org and fill out an order form.
“Thoroughly Modern Millie”
2:30 p.m. March 17; 7:30 p.m. March 22 and 23
The musical tells the story of a small-town girl, Millie Dillmount, who travels to New York in the process of looking to marry for money, not love. She immediately falls for the flapper lifestyle, but strange things begin to happen when she checks into a hotel with an owner who has a hidden agenda.
There will be a free dress rehearsal for senior citizens to view with a luncheon prior in the High School Commons at 12:30 p.m. March 17. Tickets for the rehearsal are $6.
Alumni are invited to attend the Saturday performance and visit the reception in the High School Commons following the show.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children, senior citizens and students. South Fayette Gold Card members may attend the shows for free. The box office will be open 10 a.m.-noon March 9; 2-4 p.m. March 11; 6-8 p.m. March 13; 2-4 p.m. March 18; and 6-8 p.m. March 20. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the door.
“The Drowsy Chaperone”
7:30 p.m. March 21-23
The musical follows an old man, who leads the audience through the backstage and onstage comedy of his favorite show, called “The Drowsy Chaperone.” The show will be performed in the Michael A. Callara Auditorium in Keystone Oaks Middle School.
Tickets are $7 and can be purchased by calling 412-276-2552 or at the door.
“Fiddler on the Roof”
7 p.m. March 21-23
A poor dairyman tries to marry off his three daughter as well as instill his Jewish traditions with them while anti-Semitism threatens his Russian homeland. The show’s universal theme of tradition cuts across all racial and religious barriers and is sure to leave audiences laughing and crying tears.
Preordered tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for senior citizens and students. At the door, tickets will be $12 for adults and $7 for students and senior citizens.
“42nd Street”
7:30 p.m. April 3-6
The musical tells the story of young actress Peggy Sawyer, who has come to New York to audition for a Broadway musical. Although she misses her audition, Peggy soon catches the eye of the director, Julian Marsh. When the leading lady, Dorothy Brock, breaks her ankle, it is suggested Peggy take over the role. Can Peggy learn the entire musical and save the show in 36 hours? Come and find out in Bethel Park’s brand new auditorium.
More than 120 students are in the cast, with 50 more students making up the orchestra and stage crew.
Tickets will be sold daily March 18-26 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. in the high school’s Athletic Entrance Lobby. Evening sales will take place in the Lobby as well from 6-7:30 p.m. March 19 and 26. Tickets are also available for purchase at the door. Tickets for rows A-O are $10 and $8 for rows P-CC. Senior citizens may receive half-price admission on April 3 and 4 only. Students in kindergarten through fourth grade may receive half-priced admission to all performances, but only if their tickets are purchased at the door. Tickets may be purchased with cash or a check payable to “Bethel Park School District”.
“In The Heights”
7:30 p.m. April 25-27
“In the Heights” opened on Broadway in 2008 and won four Tony awards. The show tells the story of the inhabitants of the Hispanic/Dominican community of Washington Heights in New York. The community is on the brink of change and full of hopes, dreams and pressures. The biggest struggle is deciding which traditions to take with you and which to leave behind.
The production involves around 70 students hailing from all over the South Hills and West End.
Tickets are $10 for reserved floor seats and $7 for bleacher seats. For more information, contact Ellen Urbanek at 412-922-7400 or urbaneke@bishopcanevin.org.
“Seussical”
7:30 p.m. May 8-11; and 2 p.m. May 11
The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who finds a speck of dust with Whos living in it. The show will be performed in Mt. Lebanon High School Auditorium.
Tickets go on sale March 25. Reserved seating is available. To purchase tickets, go to mtlsd.org and select Fine Arts or call 412-344-2030.
Katie Formichella is a junior at Chartiers Valley High School.