Tri-City schools bring shows to stage in May

High school students in Richland and Kennewick are bringing two very different productions to the stage this month.

And middle school students in Pasco are bringing to life a classic Disney show.

Hanford High School’s advanced drama class’ production of the musical Urinetown opens May 6.

Kamiakin High’s drama department is putting up the comedy Stardust, opening May 12.

Stevens Middle School’s is staging a version of The Little Mermaid. Opening night is May 6.

‘Urinetown’

The Tony Award-winning musical Urinetown debuted on Broadway in 2001.

A satire, it centers on a town enduring a yearslong drought — one that’s made private bathrooms a thing of the past. Instead, residents use public toilets controlled by a large corporation.

As the cost to use the facilities rise, the townspeople revolt.

The show is rated PG-13. The Hanford High productions marks the first time Urinetown has been performed in the Tri-Cities.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. May 6-7 and 13-14 at the school, 450 Hanford St.

Matt Leggett is directing, with vocal direction by Kelly Brown, choreography by Kelsey Wehner and orchestra direction by Kevin Swisher.

The cast includes Cole Lobdell and Reilly Smith splitting the role of Officer Lockstock, Trityca Stubbs as Little Sally, Devin Duggan as Bobby Strong, Whitney Holland as Hope Cladwell, Alex Veysey as Caldwell B. Cladwell and Emma Tyree as Penelope Pennywise.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. They will be available at the door. Cash or check only.

‘Stardust’

The comedy Stardust is set in a small acting school in New Hampshire in the late 1940s.

“The students there are very eccentric, outdone only by their teacher, Mr. Bach, who studied acting under the great Stanislavsky,” a Kamiakin news release said.

Bach and the students believe actors should “live their part” to achieve greatness, the release said.

But then Broadway star Prudence Mason shows up, and her style clashes with Bach’s. Comedy flows from there.

Performances are at 7 p.m. May 12-13 and 20-21 at Kamiakin High School, 600 N. Arthur St.

Chris Hamilton is directing, and the show stars CharLee Bethje as Prudence Mason, Yzabelle Tow as Claire Carter, Chandler James as Mr. Bach, Scott Critchfield as Jerry Flanagan, Blake Britten as Janet Ross and Logan Foster as Phil Ford.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. They will be available at the door.

‘The Little Mermaid Jr.’

A total of 31 Stevens Middle School students are part of the show, which is based on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic story and the Oscar-winning Disney movie.

Performances are at 7 p.m. May 6-7 at Chiawana High School, 8125 Argent Road, Pasco.

Lisa Pixler is directing, and the cast includes Emy Fraire as Ariel, Gustavo Varela as Prince Eric, Osmar Villa as Flounder, Haley Gerber as Ursula and McKenna Slaugh as Scuttle.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors. They’re available at the Stevens office and at the door.

This story was originally published May 4, 2016 at 4:47 PM with the headline "Tri-City schools bring shows to stage in May."