By KATY GOODMAN
Before there was East High School of High School Musical fame, there was the New York High School of Performing Arts of, well, “Fame” fame. And as the musical once again hits the heights in movie theaters, the school that presented the world premiere 25 years ago, Jeffersonville High School, will once again perform the show Oct. 15-18.
When it was announced, a few years after the 1980 movie, that a stage production was being developed, JHS Director Patricia Miller contacted the publishing company asking for the date the show would be available. Miller was put in touch with the editor first and then Christopher Sergel, the playwright who eventually offered JHS a premiere that was originally scheduled in New York. The first act of the script arrived unbound and the second act followed 10 pages at a time as the cast and crew began rehearsals. JHS will be reviving “Fame” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15-17 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 18. The show features contemporary costumes and original music written and performed by JHS students. One thing that ties the two productions together however, is original director Patricia Miller who also directs the current production.
All of the original cast members of “Fame” will be honored at a pre-show reception at 5 p.m. Oct. 17 where the former cast can meet their contemporary counterparts. Original cast members and a guest will receive a complimentary reserved seat ticket and the cast will be presented to the audience.
The current cast includes Almedina Palic, Madison Just, Andrew Martin, Bobby Deason, Chloe Richardson, Kelsey Duncan, Jerrod Kraft, Kevin Hawkins, Alex Jacobs, Michael Dorsey, Levi Mills, Kayla Bush, Shahrnaz Javid, Shawn Billups, Preston Ezell, Whitney Riddle, Arica Newcom, Nneka Nobles, Kayla Gallahar, Shaterrah DeShazier, Lindsay Gavin, Lauren Empson, Riker Hill, David Riedinger, Justice Kraft, Sydney McClure, Elizabeth Pace, Chealsie Hampton, Abbygail Niemann, Josh Zinser, John Templeton, Alexis Zuberer, Leslie Zuberer, Jessica Snow, Haylie O’Brien, TaShara DeShazier, Andrea Shaw and Erica Burkhead.
Miller is assisted by Technical Director Donna VanHook, Music Director Leslie Rajchel, Set Designer Bob Meyer and Choreogrpaher Cathy Todd Chaney. Kathryn Gordon serves as the Student Assistant Director while Nikki Osbourne serves as the Student Stage Manager. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and may be purchased from any theatre student, at the door, or by phone at 812-282-6601, ext. 52560 or 52562. A group rate of $5 per ticket is offered when purchasing 10 or more tickets in advance. Jeffersonville High School is located at 2315 Allison Lane, Jeffersonville.
HIGH SCHOOL NOTES
• Providence High School will wrap up the first weekend of their production of “The Man Who Came to Dinner” at 8 p.m. tonight. There will be additional performances at 8 p.m. Oct. 8-11. The show, directed by Ellen Holifield, tells the story of the Stanleys who are saddled with an unwelcome, demanding houseguest who has slipped on the ice in front of their home. Other characters include penguins in the study, an octopus in the bathroom, convicted murderers and Hollywood stars. Tickets are $10 and can be reserved online at www.providencehigh.net or by phone at 812-945-2538. There will be a $5 Coffee and Dessert party at 6:30 p.m. this evening, prior to the show. All proceeds support the Providence Theater Department. The Ray Day Little Theater is located at 707 Providence Way, Clarksville.
• Floyd Central High School will present “Almost, Maine” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9-10, 16, at 2 p.m. Oct. 11, 18 and at 7 p.m. Oct. 18. This new comedy is comprised of nine vignettes featuring 26 student actors with many roles double cast. The vignettes take place in Almost, Maine on a Friday night in the middle of the winter as havoc is wreaked on the love lives of the locals. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and $6 for students. This show is not recommended for children under 12. Tickets can be reserved at 812-923-8811, ext. 3527. Floyd Central is located at 6575 Old Vincennes Road, Floyds Knobs.
• Clarksville High School will present the drama “The Wrestling Season” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29-30, Nov. 1 and Nov. 5-7. Set on wrestling mat, this show features 8 young people who, like typical teenagers, are trying to find themselves in a crushing sea of peer pressure and gossip. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students. The Collins Auditorium at Clarksville High School is located at 800 Dr. Dot Lewis Drive, Clarksville.
•Silver Creek High School will present their 2nd Annual “Stage Fright Dinner Cabaret” at 7 p.m Oct. 30-31 and at 2 p.m. Nov. 1. Look for more information to come!
ON OTHER STAGES
• Derby Dinner Playhouse will open the Agatha Christie mystery “Murder on the Nile” on Oct. 6. In the show, Simon and his wife Kay have their honeymoon trip down the Nile interrupted by a murder on board the ship, making them and the other passenger, some of which are known to the couple, suspects. Bekki Jo Schneider directs the cast including Tina Jo Wallace, Janet Essenpreis, J.R. Stuart, Rita Thomas, Matt Wallace, David Myers, Michelle Johnson, Abigail Maupin, Scott Michael, Jon Huffman and Tony Smith.
• Derby Dinner Playhouse will present the first show in their Children’s Musical Theatre Series, “Winnie the Pooh” on Oct. 10 with additional performances Oct. 17, 24, 31 and Nov. 7. In this well known children’s story, Christopher Robin and his friends, including Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Owl and Rabbit, are worried about new comers to the 100 Acre Wood, Kanga and Roo. Michael J. Drury directs the cast including Bill Hanna as Winnie the Pooh, Cary Wiger as Owl, Sandra Rivera as Kanga, Melissa Combs as Rabbit, Lem Jackson as Tigger and more. There will be a 9 a.m. breakfast show as well as a 12 p.m. lunch show, each featuring a kid-friendly menu. Season subscriptions are available for all four shows in the series, offering kids a 50 percent savings. Call 812-288-8281 for all ticket information or visit www.derbydinner.com. Derby Dinner Playhouse is located at 525 Marriott Drive, Clarksville.
• The Drama Studio will present “The Carol Burnett Show Comedy Sketches” at 8 p.m. Oct. 9-10 and 16-17 and at 3 p.m. Oct. 11. Debra Rice Endris directs a cast including Kara Curry, David Dewberry, Betty Frank, Emily O’Mara, Marvin Perryman, Victoria Reibel, Diane Thurmond and Karen Wilson. All tickets are reserved, $14 each with no student or senior discounts. Reservations can be made online at www.thedramastudio.net or by phone at 812-283-7472 ext. 2. The Drama Studio performs at the Encore Performing Arts Center, 128 East Bell Avenue, Clarksville.
• The Rose Island Playhouse will present the comedy “Arsenic and Old Lace” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23-24 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 25. The show features characters including a brother who thinks he’s Teddy Roosevelt and a Boris Karloff look-a-like. Tickets are $7 for members, $8 for non-members and can be purchased either at the door or by phone at 812-289-1329. The Rose Island Playhouse performs at the Charlestown Arts and Enrichment Center, 999 Water Street, Charlestown.
• Indiana University Southeast will present the popular musical ‘“Godspell” at 8 p.m. Oct. 30-31 and Nov. 6-7 and at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 1, 8. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for senior citizens, students and IUS faculty and staff. The Robinson Theater is located in the Paul W. Ogle Cultural and Community Center at Indiana University Southeast, 4201 Grant Line Road, New Albany.
Katy Goodman is a freelance writer from New Albany. She can be reached by e-mail, or by phone at 812-945-6889. If you would like to list something in Curtain Call, please submit before Mon. Oct. 12.
