3 high school shows, a classic Wilde comedy and more

A look at what’s happening on the local theater circuit.

‘Grease’ takes stage at Stowe High School

Stowe High School students will present the musical “Grease” Friday to Saturday, Nov. 20-22, at 7 p.m. at the Stowe Middle/High School auditorium on Barrows Road.

Director and choreographer Taryn Noelle and music director Jane Harissis have put a new twist on the classic musical. Although there are some adult themes in “Grease,” audiences of all ages will enjoy the music, energetic dance numbers and the talented cast.

The 1971 musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey is set in 1959 at the fictional Rydell High School and follows a group of teenagers as they navigate the changing times and the increasing influence of rock ’n’ roll on their lives.

The main story is the romance of working class “greaser” Danny Zuko, played by senior Owen Leavey, and the conservative good girl, Sandy Dumbrowski, played by senior Devin Kiernan.

Danny is supported by his T-Birds, played by Henry Dolan, Sam Smith, Alex Kloeti and Sean Jacobson and Sandy has the support, reluctantly sometimes, of the Pink Ladies, played by Sarah Espey, Sarah Velk, Laura Glanz and Juliana Conte.

Other featured characters include Miss Lynch (Alyssa Pearson), Patty Simcox (Madelyn Milsark), Teen Angel (Dash Kim), Vince Fontaine (Graham Taylor) and Eugene Florczyk (Harry Hunter).

Tickets at the door are $8 for adults, $6 for students, and a maximum of $25 for a family.

‘Beauty and Beast’ at Lamoille Union

Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” will be presented tonight, Nov. 13, and Friday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 15, at 2 and 7 p.m. at Lamoille Union High School, Route 15, Hyde Park.

The stage version is based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, and includes all the songs from the movie.

The artistic director and producer is Lori Lisai, who has treated the community to recent productions of “Shrek,” “Seussical,” “Once On This Island,” and other shows.

Lamoille stage veterans Kaitlyn Jewett and Michael Daley III will play the title roles. The villain Gaston and his sidekick Lefou are portrayed by Noel Kramer and Cullen O’Boyle-Still. Andrew Schrader is Maurice, Belle’s father. The lovable Enchanted Objects are played by Natalie Reed, Sadie Lourie, Morgan Manning, Melissa Chase, Michael McLure and Thomas Schrader. In all, more than 50 students are in the cast.

Tickets are $7 for students and $9 for adults at the door or in advance by calling Jerri Hurlburt at 851-1201 or Christine Cooney at 851-1203.

‘Anything Goes’ at Peoples Academy

Peoples Academy Stage Company, the award-winning high-school theater program, presents a Tony Award-winning musical comedy, Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes,” Thursday to Saturday, Nov. 20-22, at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium in Morrisville.

Dave Gabaree directs the play, which showcases outstanding student talent.

The musical was first performed in 1934 featuring Ethel Merman and has enjoyed revivals, the most recent in 2011 featuring Sutton Foster and Joel Gray.

The story takes place on an ocean liner traveling from New York to London. Billy Crocker is a stowaway who loves heiress Hope Harcourt, who is engaged to Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. Nightclub singer Reno Sweeney and gangster Moonface Martin try to help Billy win Hope.

And so begins a madcap journey told with great songs and dances.

Tickets are by donation at the door. Refreshments will be available during the intermission.

Classic Wilde play at Lamoille Players

The wit and wisdom of Oscar Wilde will be on full display in the Lamoille County Players’ production of a classic comedy, “The Importance of Being Earnest.”

The show will be presented on two weekends, Fridays and Saturdays, Nov. 14, 15, 21 and 22 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 16 and 23, at 2 p.m.

The production is directed by Joe Collier of Morrisville and produced by Enid Rosenblum of Hyde Park. Wilde combined mistaken identity comedy with biting commentary of upper class manners and customs. Jack, played by Joe Hannon of Stowe, has invented a fake younger brother named Ernest. Jack goes to London, where he stays with his friend (Noel Porter of South Burlington) and calls himself “Ernest” so he can pursue his romantic activities as this alter ego. Complications ensue when his friend also starts calling himself “Ernest.” The high farce and witty dialogue have made “The Importance of Being Earnest” Wilde’s most enduringly popular play.

Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for students and seniors age 60 and over. Tickets for all shows are available online at LCPlayers.com.

The box office will be open for reservations in person or by phone on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon and one hour before each performance: 888-4507.

Pride Theater holds auditions for a reading

Vermont Pride Theater is holding open auditions for a staged reading by Vermont actors, ages 14 to 64, of an adaptation of the 2005 young adult novel, “M or F?” by Chris Tebbetts and Lisa Papademetriou.

The auditions are Sunday, Nov. 23, from 4 to 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 7, from 2 to 5 p.m. No advance registration is required. Come either day with a two-minute scene ready to perform for director Cher Laston and the writing team. Auditioners will be heard in the order in which they arrive.

The world premiere of the play will be Saturday, Jan. 24, at Chandler Center for the Arts, 71-73 Main St., Randolph.

The staged reading will include movement, simple costumes and sets. Proceeds from the production will be split among the gay and lesbian organizations at participating schools.

“M or F?” is the story of 16-year-old Frannie, her object of affection, Jeffrey, his friend Glenn, and her gay best friend Marcus. Other characters include Frannie’s friends, her father and grandmother and grandmother’s love interest, and other adults from the community school and ice cream parlor.

Information: Sharon Rives, 728-3726, kenrives@gmail.com.