Plays come to Waukesha schools this weekend

February should be called Drama Month in Waukesha.

Beginning this weekend, three high schools - Waukesha West, North and Catholic Memorial - are holding plays.

Catholic Memorial will put on 10 shows of the musical, "Grease." Shows are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, 7 p.m. Feb. 15, 16 and 21-23 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 17 and 24.

Advance tickets are on sale to the public during school days through the Catholic Memorial High School main office. They are $12 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens.

Limited seating tickets will be sold at the door on the day of each performance. All performances will be held at the CMH auditorium/Grasch Family Stage, 601 E. College Ave.

The musical is being produced and directed by Christopher Andacht, the 2012 Wisconsin High School Forensic Association Theatre Directors Hall of Fame inductee and CMH full-time staff member and coach. Andacht has directed or produced 33 productions at CMH, including 17 musicals.

Pete Lange, full-time instrumental and choral director for Catholic Memorial, is the vocal director for the musical. Choreography for the musical is being done by Doug Reed, who won a 2011/12 Tommy Award winner in Outstanding Choreography for "State Fair." Reed is also the choreographer for the Fireside Theater in Fort Atkinson.

There are two main casts and three children's casts that alternate performance dates.

Sandy is played by Emily Esser and Becky Calhoun, while Danny is played by Dan Engsberg and Tyler Agnew.

The children's casts are comprised of 100 children from schools located throughout the Waukesha and Milwaukee areas.

"I applaud the dedication of the all students, staff, parents, and others involved in this musical," said Fr. Paul Hartmann, president of Catholic Memorial High School. "Their efforts align with the values that CMH pursues every day - memorial, faith, trust, respect, inclusiveness, professionalism, excellence and caritas in omnibus (genuine care and interest in the lives of others)."

Last year's student musical, "State Fair," received Tommy Awards for Outstanding Musical Scene, Choreographer, Dancer, Lead Performer and Supporting Performer.

For more information on the musical call (262) 542-7101 or visit www.catholicmemorial.net.

Waukesha West will put on "Disney's Beauty and the Beast" over the next two weekends. Shows are at 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Feb. 15 and Feb. 16; and 2 p.m. Sunday and Feb. 17 inside the West auditorium, 3301 Saylesville Road.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and children and $3 for students with a West ID. Advance tickets can be purchased at www.westdrama.com.

Between 35 and 40 Waukesha North students will put on three original one-act plays at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Waukesha North auditorium, 2222 Michigan Ave.

The plays are titled "#LIF3" and Drama and Stage Craft Teacher Colleen Lentz said each explores an issue high-school students might face, from a romance and the drama that could come with it, to an individual who faces abuse to a more-lighthearted comedy.

Lentz said North students wrote and submitted plays, and three were chosen for production. The plays are student-led, with drama students and the playwrights directing, designing and organizing the plays.

General admission tickets are $5. Admission is free to students with a North ID and for children under the age of 10.

For more information, contact Lentz at clentz@waukesha.k12.wi.us or (262) 970-3649.

North will also put on the musical "Once Upon a Mattress" in April.

Waukesha West

What: Beauty and the Beast

When: 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Feb. 15 and Feb. 16; and 2 p.m. Sunday and Feb. 17

Where: 3301 Saylesville Road

Cost: Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and children and $3 for students with a West ID

Memorial

What: Grease

When: 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, 7 p.m. Feb. 15, 16 and 21-23 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 17 and 24.

Where: 601 E. College Ave.

Cost: Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens

Waukesha North

What: Three one-act plays called #LIF3

When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday

Where: 2222 Michigan Ave.

Cost: General admission tickets are $5. Admission is free to students with a North ID and for children under the age of 10