Stoga Theatre Presenting 'Nice Work If You Can Get It' In March

BERWYN, PA – The young thespians at Conestoga High School are nearly ready to present their production of the popular screwball comedy "Nice Work If You Can Get It" in March.

Fifty-seven ninth through 12th grade students will tread the board in the school's production of the Tony-nominated musical.

Shows will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7 through Saturday, March 10. A matinee will be shown at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 10.

Tickets are $12 to $15 for adults and $12 for students.

Tickets are available online here. You can also buy tickets by calling (610) 240-1022. Email stogatkts@tesd.net for information on group sales.

Director and choreographer Nathan Shughart joins musical director Suzanne Dickinger to lead the cast.

Additionally, 28 students make up Conestoga’s pit orchestra, with some musicians playing two or three instruments.

"The music is very jazzy," Dickinger said, explaining that the Gershwin piano parts are some of the most difficult performed in a musical. "Stoga Theatre has created a learning environment for the crew members and pit orchestra where they are taught to be professionals and to take pride in their work. Every aspect of the show is student driven, not adult driven."

More than 100 students are also participating in the production by working in student lead crews for set, deck, lighting, sound, makeup, costumes, and props, making possible the five big scene changes.

Check out a description of the show:

Set in 1927 New York, "Nice Work If You Can Get It" brings to the stage a prohibition era clash of elegant socialites and tough bootleggers. Jimmy Winter is finally engaged to Eileen Evergreen, a respectable woman Jimmy hopes his mother will approve of, but Jimmy suddenly falls in love with feisty bootlegger Billie Bendix. Thinking Jimmy and Eileen will be out of town, Billie and her gang hide cases of alcohol in the basement of Jimmy’s Long Island mansion, then pose as servants during the wedding celebration. Will true love prevail? Find out as the plot unfolds in this wacky, romantic comedy!

"Nice Work If You Can Get It" features all different styles of dance, including the foxtrot, the Charleston, tango and tap.

"It is a very dance heavy show and the entire cast will be dancing," Shughart said.

The audience will enjoy the memorable Gershwin music, many fantastic dance numbers, and a comedy-filled script. Shughart said “the audience will be falling out of their seats laughing” at this funny and entertaining show.

All performances will be in the Hobson C. Wagner Auditorium at Conestoga High School, 200 Irish Road, Berwyn.

Pictured above in back from left are Nick Remillard as Chief Berry; Amelia Dubendorf as Eileen Evergreen; Bryce Bundens as Cookie McGeel; Tara Moon as Estonia Dulworth; Charlotte Kalilec as Jeannie Muldoon and Mark Hengel as Duke Mahoney. In front from left are Zoe Pratt as Billie Bendix and Max Mooney as Jimmy Winter

Photo by Mary C. Robinson