‘The Mousetrap’ on stage this week at CVHS
CATCH A MURDER MYSTERY play today at Central Valley High School. Students will present Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap,” including a 7:30 p.m. show scheduled tonight with an elaborate mansion as the setting.
“The set is huge and spectacular,” said Michael J. Muzatko, the play’s director. About 10 technical theater students worked on the set, he added.
“They’ve created the entire interior of a mansion. It’s professional quality.”
He also credited the cast member’s hard work and dedication. The cast includes: Kali Clark, Lee Durtschi, Dane Ficklin, Chad Hagerty, Mary Hollenbaugh, Kristin McKernan, Jared Mola and Jonathan Ray.
This week’s performances – today, Monday and Tuesday – all start at 7:30 p.m. at the Central Valley Performing Arts Center on the high school campus, 821 S. Sullivan Road.
Tickets are $6, available at the door.
U-Hi craft fair today, Sunday
Getting some holiday shopping done can also help support student activities. A craft fair runs this weekend at University High School to benefit the band and color guard.
The show is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday in the school’s gymnasium. The school is at Pines Road and 32nd Avenue. The items available include holiday gifts, décor, Thanksgiving items and antiques.
Admission is $1.
Students tame Shakespeare
Summit School students have mastered “Taming of the Shrew” through a newly formed High Top Shakespeare Co.
A cast of 45 students in fifth through eighth grades performed two evening shows of the play last week under the direction of teacher Dan Powell. They put on a 50-minute version of Shakespeare’s original 1594 work adapted by Charlotte Brown.
The students, including younger ones, did well with the old English speech, said Powell. Rehearsals began in September.
“It is unusual to have such young kids performing Shakespeare, but they have adapted to it very well and have a good command of the language, in addition to providing ready-made, raw and boundless energy,” Powell said.
While performing the play about the suitor Petruchio wooing an “intolerable curst shrew” named Katharina, the students wore authentic Elizabethan costumes created for the production, yet made out of fabric with modern images such as rubber ducks, Popeye, and Sponge Bob prints. Cast members also wore high-top sneakers.
Eighth-grade students Marshall Gobin and Shaylin Coburn played the lead roles.
Several teachers plan to serve up McDonald’s food on Wednesday evening as a benefit for St. Mary’s Catholic School.
A McTeachers Night is scheduled Wednesday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Spokane Valley McDonald’s restaurant, 819 N. Sullivan Road. A portion of all sales from McTeachers Night will be donated to St. Mary’s School.
McDonald’s staff will train as well as assist teachers as part of a fun night for families and the community. Principal Lauri Nauditt will be on hand and teachers will be taking turns at the counter and helping throughout the restaurant.
Novice U-Hi debaters recognized
University High School debate students in the novice division were recognized recently at the Lake City’s Rookie Rumble Tournament.
They include: dramatic interpretation: Heather Grover – first; Kacie Campbell – third; Alexis Goben – finalist; humorous interpretation: C. J. Sobkowiak – finalist.
Dual interpretation: Erin Ormsby and Cassie Rector – second.
Interpretive reading: John Anderson – first; Beki Callaway – third; Kacie Campbell – finalist.
Student congress: Heather Grover – outstanding presiding officer and second place overall.
Lincoln Douglas top speaker awards: Heather Fried – second; Shane Hetrick – seventh.
Public forum: Jordan Johnson and Matt Stephens – second.