March seems to be the month for onstage drama at both high schools and middle schools in West Windsor and Plainsboro. Three musicals and one comedy murder mystery will be performed this month. Tickets are usually available at the door but call the school for reservations.
High School North
Step into the enchanted world of “Beauty and the Beast” at High School North on March 4, 8 p.m.; March 5 at 2 and 8 p.m.; and March 6, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10.
Based on the Academy Award- winning animated feature film, the stage version enthralled Broadway audiences for more than 13 years.
Cast members include Fred Deardon as Maurice, Mollie Karlin and Meg Orita sharing the role of Belle, Alex DeSimone as the Beast, Adam Niemann as Gaston, Adam Kercheval as Lefou, Lauren McGinley as Chip, Kristen Kane as Mrs. Potts, Jason Rand as Cogsworth, Jonathan Sawyer as Lumiere, and Maria DiCindio as Babette.
High School South
Guys and Dolls” is on stage Thursday to Friday, March 10 and 11, at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, March 12, at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets $12. Call 609-716-5050 for information.
Nathan Detroit, portrayed by Connor McElwee, needs $1,000 for a new venue to keep his floating crap game in business, despite the determination of police Lieutenant Brannigan portrayed by Jake Arbeiter, to stop it once and for all. Nathan’s cohorts include Nicely-Nicely Johnson (Sergio Ingato) and Benny Southstreet (Mark De La Rosa). When Nathan hears that Sky Masterson (Michael Krakower), a gambler noted for making large and unusual bets, is having lunch nearby, he makes an outrageous bet with Sky that he will not be able to take the mission’s leader, Sarah Brown (Anna Chicco), to Havana the next day. Meanwhile Adelaide (Rachael Degnan), Nathan’s fiancee of many years, tells Nathan that she will be getting a raise next week and will finally earn enough money for them to get married.
Classic songs include “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat,” “A Bushel and a Peck,” and “Luck Be a Lady.”
Community
Middle School
Step into the wild and wacky world of “Willy Wonka” when the curtain rises on Thursday to Saturday, March 17 to 19, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $8. Call 609-716-5300 for information.
Roald Dahl’s story of the candy man comes to life in the stage adaptation of “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory,” which features the songs from the classic family film “Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory.” The world is astounded when Willy Wonka (Jonathan Gelb), for years a recluse in his factory, announces that five lucky people will be given a tour of the factory, shown all the secrets of his amazing candy, and one will win a lifetime supply of Wonka chocolate. Nobody wants the prize more than young Charlie (Jack Donaldson). The cast includes Carlos Hernandez as Augustus Gloop, Alora Eisen as Mrs. Gloop, Miriam Li as Violet Beauregarde, Aleka Atwater as Veruca Salt, Matt Zupancic as Grandpa Jo, and Bennett Perrine as Mike Teavee.
Grover Middle School
The comedy mystery drama, “Murder at Coppersmith Inn,” takes place on Friday and Saturday, March 4 and 5, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $8. Call 609-716-5250 for information.
Three stage-struck high school juniors answer an audition notice for “Three college age actresses for a murder-mystery weekend at Coppersmith Inn” — and are cast in the production. Theatrical mishaps ensue with cues missed, lines delivered at the wrong times, sound effects cover up the actors’ dialogue, and the wrong person is murdered.
