Jackson-Milton to inaugurate stage

2010 HIGH SCHOOL PLAYS AND MUSICALS

By GUY D’ASTOLFO

dastolfo@vindy.com

Area high school drama departments are preparing their spring musicals and plays, and you can expect some old favorites, such as “Guys & Dolls” and “Bye-Bye Birdie.”

There also will be some lesser-known fare, such as “Hillbilly Hankerin’.” a farce being presented by Jackson-Milton High School. “Hillbilly” will have the added prestige of being the first theatrical production in J-M High’s new building, which opened this school year.

George Tomaino, director of the J-M drama department, said the new theater space — it’s actually a cafetorium — is an improvement. “It’s a nicer stage, better lighting and sound system,” he said.

“Hillbilly Hankerin’” focuses on two feuding families in the Ozark Mountains: the Herefords and the Guernseys. It’s a take-off on the Hatfields and the McCoys.

“The government people show up, and there is mass confusion with misidentification and a chase scene,” said Tomaino. “As for the hankerin’ — the girls are looking for men.”

Being a small school, J-M doesn’t do musicals because the time commitment is greater, and most of the students also are involved in other activities.

But Tomaino does like to involve as many students as possible. “Hillbilly Hankerin’” has a cast of 26, with 20 more students backstage. The comedy was written by playwright Pat Cook.

Here’s a partial list of productions coming to school auditoriums in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys in the coming weeks and months:

“Grease,SDRq South Range High School, 11836 South Ave., North Lima. Performances are 7 p.m. today through Saturday. Tickets: adults $8, seniors and students $5. (330) 549-2163.

“Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,SDRq Hickory High School Auditorium, 411 N. Hermitage Road, Hermitage, Pa. Performances are 7:30 p.m. March 18-20; 2:30 p.m. March 21. Tickets: adults $9, students and seniors, $7. (724) 981-8790, ext. 1242.

“Thoroughly Modern Millie,SDRq New Castle High School, 300 E. Lincoln Ave., New Castle, Pa. Performances are 7:30 p.m. March 18-20. Tickets are $10, seniors $5 March 18. (724) 656-4700.

“Fiddler On the Roof,SDRq Howland High School, at Howland Middle School Gymnasium, 8200 South St. S.E., Howland. Performances are 7 p.m. March 18-20 and 2 p.m. March 21. Tickets are $10 at the door. No public presales. (330) 856-8250.

“Hillbilly Hankerin’,SDRq Jackson-Milton High School Cafetorium, 13910 Mahoning Ave., North Jackson. Performances are 7:30 p.m. March 19 and 20. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for children. No pre-sale. (330) 538-3308.

“The Pink Panther Strikes Again,SDRq Struthers High School Drama Club at Struthers Middle School Auditorium, 800 Fifth St., Struthers. Performances are 7 p.m. March 19 and 20. Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $3 for students. Tickets are available at the door. (330) 750-1062.

“Bye Bye Birdie,SDRq Canfield High School Auditorium, 100 Cardinal Drive, Canfield. Performances are 7:30 p.m. March 25, 26 and 27. Tickets are $9 for adults and $6 for students. (330) 533-5507.

“Guys & Dolls,SDRq Sharon High School Fine Arts Auditorium, 1129 E. State St., Sharon, Pa. Performances are 7:30 p.m. March 25, 26 and 27. Tickets: adults $6; students and seniors $4, available at the door. (724) 983-4030.

“Life of the Party,SDRq Poland Seminary High School Auditorium, 3199 Dobbins Road. Performances are 7 p.m. April 15, 16 and 17. Tickets: adults $7; seniors and students $5. (330) 757-7018.

“Peter Pan the Musical,SDRq Boardman Performing Arts Center, 7777 Glenwood Ave., Boardman. Performances are 7 p.m. April 15-17 and 2 p.m. April 17. Cost is $7 to $12. (330) 519-2633.

“Seussical the Musical,SDRq Salem High School, 1200 E. Sixth St., Salem. Performances are April 16-18. Call (330) 332-0316 for times.

“Bye Bye Birdie,SDRq Cardinal Mooney High School, 2545 Erie St., Youngstown. Performances are 7 p.m. April 22-25. Opening performance will be a dinner show and tickets for dinner show will be available April 12 at school office. Tickets available at the door for Friday-Sunday performances. (330) 788-5007.

“Edelweiss,SDRq Newton Falls High School Auditorium, 907 Milton Blvd., Newton Falls. Performances are 7 p.m. April 23 and 24. Cost is $5 at the door. (330) 872-5445, ext. 4.

“The Harding Cabaret,SDRq Warren G. Harding High School, 860 Elm Road N.E., Warren. Features show tunes, skits and monologues with hors d’oeuvres. Seating is limited. Performances are 7 p.m. April 23 and 24. Tickets are $8 at the door. (330) 841-2316.

“Back to the ’80s,SDRq West Branch High School, 14277 Main St., Beloit. Performances are April 23-25. Call (330) 938-2183 for times.

“The Music Man,SDRq Hubbard High School Auditorium, 350 Hall Ave., Hubbard. Performances are 7 p.m. April 23 and 24; 2 p.m. April 25. Tickets are $5 and may be purchased at the door. (330) 534-1921, ext. 1107.

“Escapades 2010,SDRq Mineral Ridge High School, 1334 Seaborn St., Mineral Ridge. Performances are 7 p.m. April 30 and May 1. (330) 652-1451.

“Into The Woods,SDRq Youngstown Christian School Eagle Theater, 4401 Southern Blvd., Youngstown. Performances are noon May 13 and 7 p.m. May 14 and 15. Tickets are $5 May 13; adults $8, children $5 May 14 and 15. (330) 788-8088.

“Grease,SDRq Fitch High School Auditorium, 4560 Falcon Drive, Austintown. Performances are 6:30 p.m. May 20-22. Tickets are $6 for adults, $3 for children and seniors. Tickets will be sold at the door. (330) 797-3900.

“A Raisin In the Sun,SDRq Chaney High School auditorium, 731 Hazelwood Ave., Youngstown. Performance is at 7 p.m. March 12. Tickets are $5 at the door. (330) 744-8822.

“A Michael Jackson Tribute,SDRq Chaney High School auditorium, 731 Hazelwood Ave., Youngstown. Performance is at 7 p.m. March 19. Tickets are $5 at the door. (330) 744-8822.

“The Wiz,SDRq Chaney High School auditorium, 731 Hazelwood Ave., Youngstown. Performance is at 7 p.m. March 21. Tickets are $5 at the door. (330) 744-8822.