High Schools Stage Spring Musicals

Springtime means flowers, sunshine, and thoughts of romance, but (at least in the area high school’s theater departments) it’s also the season for massive musical undertakings, bringing Broadway shows into the on-campus auditoriums. As in all years, the three big public schools have staggered their shows, with each having only a single overlapping weekend, meaning you can easily catch all three. 

First up is Santa Barbara High’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (April 24-May 3), director Gioia Marchese’s take on the Shakespeare tale not normally produced as a musical. With music from the 1960s to ‘70s and a broad stroke of gender reversal roles, Marchese’s Dream sounds like a fun forest fantasy of magic, mischief and music.

Visit www.sbhstheater.com

From sweet magic and meaningless mischief, we migrate to murder and mayhem in San Marcos High’s Sweeney Todd (April 30-May 9), Sondheim’s story of the demon barber of Fleet Street avenging injustice and combating poverty and hunger in terrifying ways that just happen to include lower-animal-friendly meat pies. Director Shannon Saleh’s staging and the students’ take on the challenging show – including the special effects – should be eye-opening, and perhaps give new meaning to the phrase “a close shave.”

Visit www.smhstheaterdept.com/event

Closing out the season, but thematically falling somewhere between the two, Dos Pueblos’ Curtains (May 7-16) is a musical murder comedy that involves investigation of a killing that occurs during a Broadway production. Set in 1959, the setup of backstage murder mystery plots has a Sherlock Holmes vibe with music and lyrics by Kander & Ebb of Cabaret and Chicago fame. Emily Libera directs the student-starring production of what is essentially an over-the-top love letter to theater. 

Visit www.dphstheatrecompany.org/shows