It's Spring Musical Season in the Perkiomen Valley

This weekend kicks off the spring musical season in the Perkiomen Valley secondary schools. Performances at both middle schools and the high school offer something for everyone. Mark your calendars now for several unforgettable performances by talented PV students.

"The Wizard of Oz" opens this weekend in the Spahr Auditorium at Perkiomen Valley Middle School East. Under the direction of  Kathy Gittelman, more than 100 East sixth, seventh and eighth grade students have been rehearsing for this show since October.

"I picked 'The Wizard of Oz' because it's a childhood favorite," Gittelman said. "The key is to choose a favorite that has a lesson, and can accommodate many children."

Assisted by East teachers Ann Fleischer, Erin McMonagle and Keri and Greg Kirsinger, as well as Wendy Benensky, Kathy Venafra and Paul Heggie, Gittelman credits the students for the success of the show.

"They have been kind and supportive of one another and have managed their time well over the many months of rehearsals."

The curtain will rise for "The Wizard of Oz" at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 25, and then again at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26. Tickets are $6 each. Contact Gittelman at kgittelman@pvsd.org to reserve your seat.

While the East cast and crew celebrate the success of their show after Saturday night’s performance, the adults will be busy "de-constructing" The Wizard of Oz" set to make way for the high school set crew. PV High School is presenting "The Pajama Game" in April.

Director Tracie Griffie says, “We chose this musical because the show is funny. It also has a lot of cast parts and good, familiar tunes.”

The original production of "The Pajama Game" opened on Broadway in 1954 and ran for two years, garnering a Tony Award for Best Musical. The comedy follows the employees of the Sleeptite Pajama Factory as they seek a 7.5-cent pay raise. An unexpected romance blossoms between the head of the Grievance Committee and the factory supervisor.

This show will also be held in the Spahr Auditorium at Perkiomen Valley Middle School East. Senior citizens are invited to a free matinee on Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 1 p.m. The remaining shows are:

• Friday, April 1, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, April 2, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, April 3, 2011 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $8 and will be sold in advance at www.pvmb.org. Tickets may also be available for purchase at the door.

PV Middle School West will be performing "Aladdin Jr." at 7:30 pm on Friday, March 11, and Saturday, March 12. There will also be a Sunday matinee performance on March 13 at 2:30 p.m.

This one act musical is an adaptation of the Disney animated film, "Aladdin." While the story and the music follow the film closely, there are several twists to the plot, as well as a song originally intended for the film that ended up on the cutting room floor during editing.

The performances of "Aladdin Jr." will be held in the auditorium at PV Middle School West. Tickets are $6 and seating is assigned. Contact Krista Yerkes at kyerkes@pvsd.org to purchase tickets.

So follow the yellow brick road this weekend to PV East and then soar on a flying carpet during the weekend of March 11 to PV West. Finally, join the pajama factory workers as they "race with the clock" the first weekend in April. Support the arts in our schools and enjoy three fantastic shows this spring.