Radnor School District Hosting Plays, Musicals In March

RADNOR, PA – It's theater season in the Radnor Township School District and three district schools are gearing up for productions of three shows that will all be held in March.

The Radnor High, Middle, and Elementary schools will host productions of three different shows in the first three weeks of March.

Below are details on each production:

First is "Shrek the Musical, Jr." which will be presented at Radnor Middle School Thursday, March 1 through Saturday, March 3.

Each performance will be held at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee performance at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Tickets are $5 for students and senior citizens and are $10 for adults. Tickets can be purchased in advance online here or at the door of the show.

Beauty is in the eye of the ogre in Radnor Middle School's all-school production of Shrek the Musical, Jr., the 2008 Broadway musical based on the Academy Award-winning DreamWorks Animation film.

It's a "big bright beautiful world" as everyone's favorite ogre leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance. Part romance and part twisted fairy tale, Shrek the Musical, Jr. is a fun-filled fun show with a powerful message for the whole family.

The Radnor Middle School cast includes 7th-grader Sam Bailey as Shrek; 8th-graders Caroline Constable and Shreya Rupesh as Princess Fiona; 8th-graders Jason Tey and Sam Roche as Donkey; 7th-graders Jacob Braunfeld and Michael McNicholas as Lord Farquaad; and 6th-grader Aiden Oliver and 7th-grader Sophia Kaisermann as Pinocchio.

Shows will be held in the auditorium of Radnor Middle School, 150 Louella Ave., Wayne.

Second, Radnor High School will present "All Shook Up," Thursday, March 8 through Saturday, March 10.

Each performance will be held at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee performance at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Tickets are $15 a piece. They are available online here or at the door of the show.

The rocking musical comedy "All Shook Up" features the music of Elvis Presley and is based on William Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night."

The setting is 1955 somewhere in middle America, where one girl's dream and a surprise visit from a mysterious leather-jacketed, guitar-playing roustabout help a small town to discover the magic of romance and the power of rock and roll.

"Elvis’s music comes to life once again in this high energy production," Dr. Bruce Glenny, RHS choral music teacher and "All Shook Up" musical director, said.

Among the 24 Elvis songs featured in the score are classics such as "Heartbreak Hotel," "Blue Suede Shoes," "Love Me Tender," "Don't Be Cruel," "Can't Help Falling in Love," and of course the title tune, "All Shook Up."

The musical's live band is made up of students in the school's honors jazz band.

"No matter what the song, it’s just a blast to participate," junior Patrick Kaper, who plays Chad, said. "The show is about being in the groove and having fun, both for the cast members and the audience."

The lead roles are double-cast, with one group of actors performing on Thursday and Saturday nights, and the other on Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

The role of Chad is played by sophomore Gabriel Escobar and Kaper; Natalie/Ed by seniors Rowan Bradley and Alexa DiGiovanni; Dennis by senior Jason Hurle and sophomore Aiden Giacomucci; Sylvia by seniors Caroline Bohnenberger and Hope Idiculla; Sandra by sophomore Amia Korman and junior Elizabeth Criscuolo; and Dean by sophomore Ryan Oliver and senior Robbie Liable.

"It’s just been an unbelievable experience to be a part of it and I can’t wait for everyone to come out and see it," DiGiovanni said. “It’s definitely a show everyone will love, no matter their age, preference about songs, or interest in theater."

Radnor High School’s All Shook Up is directed by Ryan Goulden with musical direction by Dr. Glenny and technical direction by RHS theater and communications teacher Brian Dietzler.

All shows will be in the auditorium of Radnor High School, 130 King of Prussia Road, Radnor.

Lastly, Radnor Elementary School will host 4th and 5th graders as they perform "Beauty and the Beast, Jr." Thursday, March 15 through Saturday, March 17.

Each performance will be held at 7 p.m. with a matinee performance at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

All performances are free to attend, however donations are accepted.

"Beauty and the Beast, Jr." will feature 110 4th- and 5th- grade students in this adaptation of the story of transformation and tolerance.

The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for eternity.

The show is directed by Radnor Elementary School music teacher Michele Williams, with assistance by teachers Susan Eyerly and Gylene Snyder. It is sponsored by the school's parent-teacher organization.

Performances will be held in the Little Theatre at Radnor Elementary School, 20 Matsonford Road, Radnor.

Image via Radnor Township School District