Student actors in Charles County’s seven public high schools are preparing for fall plays and musicals, which begin later this month. The following is a list of school plays, ticket and contact information for each high school.
La Plata High School starts off the 2015 fall play season with Lillian Hellman’s “The Little Foxes,” on Oct. 22-24. The production is set in a small Alabama town in the early 1900s and focuses on power and greed. The main character, Regina Hubbard Giddens, struggles to become rich in a society in which fathers only recognize their sons as financial heirs. She attempts to go into business with her two brothers, who own cotton mills and are wealthy, but Giddens has trouble gaining money to support her participation. Show time is 6:30 p.m. for all three performances. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) employees can receive one complimentary ticket with their identification badge. Call 301-934-1100 for more information.
Student actors at Maurice J. McDonough High School are presenting Joseph Robinette’s adaptation of the Chronicles of Narnia “The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe,” on Nov. 5-7 at 6:30 p.m. and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 7. The production is a classic tale of good versus evil and is set in the magical land of Narnia. Featured are the travels of Aslan, the great lion, and his struggle with the White Witch, who wants to rule over Narnia. Aslan comes across four children who inadvertently wander from an old wardrobe into the exciting, never-to-be-forgotten Narnia and enlists their help in deterring the White Witch. Tickets are available for purchase online starting Oct. 19 at www.mcdonoughdrama.com or can be purchased at the show. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and senior citizens and $7 for children under the age of 6. CCPS staff can receive one complimentary ticket with their identification badge. Call 301-934-2944 for additional information.
St. Charles High School is performing a family-friendly comedy called “You Can’t Take It With You,” on Nov. 13-14 at 7 p.m., and on Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. The comedy is based on the antics of a few New York City families as they cross paths during a whirlwind of events. One of the main characters, Alice Sycamore, works for Tony Kirby and is in love with him. Kirby is vice president of his father’s powerful company and comes from a rich and reserved family. Although their families have yet to meet, Tony proposes to Alice and she accepts but warns him that her family is anarchic and eccentric. They arrange for their parents to meet but Tony arrives a day earlier, causing the families to clash upon meeting and jeopardizing Alice and Tony’s engagement. Ticket prices are $8 for general admission and $6 for students. CCPS staff receive two complimentary tickets by showing their identification badge. Call 301-753-2090 for more information.
Student actors at North Point, Thomas Stone and Westlake high schools are hosting their fall productions during the weekend of Nov. 19-21. North Point student actors will present the family comedy “Father Knows Best,” on Nov. 19-21 with a performance time of 7 p.m. for all three shows. The production is based off the radio and television comedy series and features the Anderson’s, a middle class family who lives in the Midwest. Featured are Jim Anderson, the “father” of the production, and his wife, Margaret. The Anderson’s have three children – Betty, Bud and Kathy. The play follows the Anderson family as they encounter daily life. Tickets are $8 for general admission, and $5 for students and senior citizens. CCPS staff can receive one ticket by showing their identification badge. Call 301-753-1759 for more information.
Thomas Stone’s student actors are performing Don Zolidis’ “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon,” Nov. 19-21 with a performance time of 7 p.m. at all three showings. The performance is a spin on the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm as the actors will combine several classics such as Snow White, Cinderella, and Hansel and Gretel with obscure stories such as The Girl Without Hands. As part of the show, student actors will encourage audience participation to enhance the performance. Ticket prices are $7 for general admission and $5 for students and senior citizens. CCPS employees receive two complimentary tickets with their identification badges. Call 301-645-2601 for more information.
The theatre department at Westlake is presenting “The Love of Three Oranges,” on Nov. 19-21 with a performance time of 7 p.m. for each showing. The show is about Prince Tartaglia, who is cursed by an evil witch to search for and fall in love with three large oranges. Along his journey, the prince discovers love, friendship, and laughter when he encounters wizards, monarchs, and a wild narrator who isn’t sure how far removed from the story she truly is. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for senior citizens and students. Call 301-645-8857 for more details.
Henry E. Lackey High School is hosting a production later in the play season on Dec. 11-13. Lackey student actors will present “Voices from Washington High,” on Dec. 11-12 at 6:30 p.m. and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 13. The play depicts how violence and tragedy can evolve among students in American high schools. The show features a cast that will portray a group of high school seniors preparing to graduate and how their lives change when a shooting takes place at their school. The play also features viewpoints from parents, teachers and school administrators as they learn about the incident at the school and work to handle the crisis. Tickets are $8 for adults, $7 for students, senior citizens and military members and $6 for thespians. CCPS employees can bring one guest for two free tickets by showing their school system identification badge. Call 301-753-1753 for more information.
Lackey students will also present two one-act shows on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. and cost includes a donation to the school. The Lackey theatre group is also reprising a show rehearsed earlier this school year called “Lend Me A Tenor,” on Jan. 22-23 at 6:30 p.m. Ticket prices for “Lend Me A Tenor” are $8 for adults, $7 for students, senior citizens and military members and $6 for thespians.
Charles County Public Schools provides 26,500 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 36 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.