Curtains rise at Washington County high schools this fall

WASHINGTON — Students across Washington County are stepping into the spotlight this fall as three area high schools prepare to stage their annual musicals. From the imaginative world of Alice by Heart to the pop-culture comedy of Mean Girls and the timeless charm of Willy Wonka, this season’s shows highlight creativity, collaboration and student talent.

MID-PRAIRIE HIGH SCHOOL

Production: Alice by Heart

Performances: Oct. 31 at 7 p.m.; Nov. 1 at 7 p.m.; Nov. 2 at 2 p.m.

Location: Mid-Prairie High School Auditorium

Tickets: mpdrama.booktix.com

Mid-Prairie High School opens the county’s theater season with Alice by Heart, a contemporary musical by Duncan Sheik, Steven Sater and Jessie Nelson.

Set during the London Blitz of World War II, the story follows teenager Alice Spencer, who retreats into Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to help her quarantined friend Alfred cope with illness and chaos.

The show blends realism and fantasy while exploring imagination, loss and resilience. Senior Caroline Schrader stars as Alice, with Greyson Ghumm as Alfred and Jillian Clark as the Queen of Hearts.

Directed by Christine Meader and musically directed by Collette McClellan, the production is described by its publisher, Concord Theatricals, as a celebration of “the transformational power of the imagination, even in the harshest of times.”

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HIGHLAND HIGH SCHOOL

Production: Mean Girls — The Musical

Performances: Nov. 7 and 8 at 7 p.m.

Location: Highland High School Auditorium

Highland High School’s Fine Arts and Choir departments will bring Mean Girls — The Musical to the stage. Based on the popular film written by Tina Fey, the show follows new student Cady Heron as she navigates high school friendships, rivalries and the pressures of fitting in amid the rule of the notorious clique known as “The Plastics.”

The production features Highland students performing lively songs and comedic scenes that explore identity, empathy and self-confidence.

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WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL

Production: Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka

Performances: Nov. 14—16

Location: Washington High School Auditorium

Washington High School closes out the county’s fall theater season with Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, featuring music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. Adapted from Dahl’s classic novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the story follows Charlie Bucket, a humble boy who wins a golden ticket to tour Willy Wonka’s magical chocolate factory, discovering that goodness and generosity are the sweetest rewards of all.

Senior Quintyn Garibay stars as Willy Wonka, with Anthony Raymundo as Charlie Bucket, Aiden Klopfenstein as Grandpa Joe, Luna Morris as Veruca Salt and Zully Aranda Terrones as Violet Beauregarde.

A SEASON TO CELEBRATE

From the whimsical world of Wonka to the emotional journey of Alice and the biting humor of Mean Girls, Washington County’s fall productions showcase months of rehearsal, teamwork and dedication.

Audiences are invited to support local theater and high school drama programs as they enjoy a season that proves high school stages can hold worlds of imagination.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com