Inside our schools: High schools’ productions offer classics

Two theater shows this month offer classic entertainment – “The Taming of the Shrew” at East Valley High School, and Central Valley’s “The Wizard of Oz.”

First up is EVHS’ “Shrew” comedy by William Shakespeare, with shows tonight at 7 p.m. and again on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and next Saturday at the school.

Central Valley High School’s spring musical, “The Wizard of Oz,” runs Thursday through next Saturday and March 21 through 24 at 7 p.m., along with a Sunday matinee scheduled March 18 at 2 p.m., in the Central Valley Performing Arts Center located on the campus of CVHS.

East Valley’s play, set in Italy during the late 1500s, tells the story of the shy Bianca and her older sister, the mean-spirited Katharina. Although Bianca is being courted by a number of men, including her tutor, Lucentio, she may not marry until Katharina is wed. No man in town is willing to do that.

As the plot thickens, Petruchio arrives looking to find a rich wife and falls in love with Katharina. After an intense, occasionally furious, courtship, Katharina eventually agrees to marry him, and they move to Petruchio’s house outside of the city. Finally, Lucentio gets permission to marry Bianca, and a mild-mannered Katharina shows up at their wedding, giving advice to her sister on how to be a good wife.

Cast members include Nikki Bernard as Katharina; Ashley Saffle, Bianca; James Eik, Baptista Minola; Chad Rasmussen, Petruchio; Samantha Means, Grumio; Seth Christianson, Hortensio; Nicholas Roszina, Gremio; Jared Jolstead, Lucentio; Wayne Yocom, Vicentio; Patrick Wolfe, Tranio; Joe Rouse, Biondello; Anthony VanDuzee, Pedant/Nathaniel; Melissa Gren, Widow/Petra; Krisztina Mendez, Curtistina; Dallas Ward, Philipina/Haberdasher; Tonya Strong, Josephina; Hayley Roszina, Georgina; Katie Simpson, Nicholina; and Katelyn Moore, Seamstress.

EVHS play admission at the door is $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens, free for students with an ASB card, $3 for students without an ASB card, and children under 11 years are admitted free.

CV’s “The Wizard of Oz” involves more than 100 Central Valley School District students as actors, technicians and musicians. Flying by Foy, the original company that flew Mary Martin in the first production of “Peter Pan,” will provide the special effects to lift Dorothy and other characters – from Glinda in her magic bubble to the wicked witch.

Spokane Symphony members and other professional musicians will join CVHS students in a 22-piece full orchestra.

Oz cast members include Anna Daines playing Dorothy, joined by Jared Mola as Scarecrow, Nathan Webb as the Tinman, Bryson Toth as Cowardly Lion and Emily Hansen as the Wicked Witch. More than 165 CVSD students auditioned for the show and 62 were cast. The Munchkins come from Central Valley middle and elementary schools.

Tickets for the CVHS production of “The Wizard of Oz” went on sale in February at $6. For ticketing information, contact the Oz Ticket Hotline at 228-5218 or pick up an order form from the school, at 821 S. Sullivan Road.

CV Day on the Mall through Wednesday

Central Valley schoolchildren will showcase their art, music and school work this weekend through Wednesday at the Spokane Valley Mall.

The Central Valley Days on the Mall include more than 30 displays highlighting the achievement of students at all grade levels. In addition, vocal and instrumental performances are scheduled from 15 elementary and middle schools. All performances are open to the public and held near J.C. Penney.

On Monday, Horizon Middle School jazz band and orchestra perform at 11:30 a.m. At 2 and 6 p.m., singers with Sunrise Elementary’s “Solar Energy” go on stage. For more information on performances, go to www.cvsd.org.

Freeman FBLA winners announced

Twenty-six Freeman High School members of the Future Business Leaders of America attended the 2007 Northeast Region FBLA Conference at the Faith Bible Church in Spokane.

They joined about 500 other regional students to compete in business-related areas such as job interview, business law, accounting, public speaking, entrepreneurship, and more than 40 other categories. The top five in each competition qualified for the state conference to be held in Spokane in April. Top finishers at the state competition earn the honor to compete at the National FBLA Conference in Chicago at the end of June.

The following students made it into the top five in their area and will head to state competition: Megan Primmer, Stacy Sainsbury and Taryn Wingett – first place in entrepreneurship; Stephanie Watson – second place in job interview; Leah Willard – second place in introduction to business communications; Hannah Lally and Stephanie Watson – second place in emerging business issues; Isaac Hamilton and Cameron Moore – third place in desktop publishing; Greta Underhill – fourth place in public speaking; Katie Casto – fourth place in impromptu speaking; Audrey Fish – fifth place in creed; Anthony Emtman – fifth place in introduction to technology concepts; and Jed Lara – fifth place in business communications.

Additionally, these students made it into the finals in their competition: Dalton Reilly, Stacy Sainsbury, Ty Thomas in impromptu speaking; and Ryan Harter and Hannah Lally in business ethics.

U-Hi arts night will be Thursday

Community members are invited to attend an evening celebrating the arts at University High School on Thursday.

The evening includes two choir concerts at 5 and 8 in the theater, along with Senior Arts Night. Visual arts items including pottery projects will be on display from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet student artists and see special performances as they enjoy a full evening celebrating the arts at U-Hi, 12420 E. 32nd Ave. For more information, call 228-5420.