It has been four decades since the curtain first rose on the Bridgeport High School Theatre program. In the time since then, the school has gone from producing only an annual senior class production to offering three to four shows a season and including students from not only BHS but also BMS and both of the city’s elementary schools for a total of nearly 60 shows. Bridgeport High School Theatre also has an official Thespian Troupe and is a proud member of the Education Theatre Association.

 

The upcoming 2014-2015 academic year marks the 40^th Anniversary of a program that has become one of the most widely respected student theatre groups in the state.

 

Theatre Producer Alice Rowe and Artist-in-Residence Jason A. Young are not yet ready to announce all of the special events and festivities that will accompany this year’s anniversary season; however, they are asking for the community to take part in the selection of the shows that will be produced.

 

“Selecting the shows year-in and year-out may be the hardest part of this job,” said Young. “Too many factors are involved, from personnel to cost to appropriateness to popularity of title. It really feels like we spend more time talking about shows than putting them on.”

 

The process begins shortly after graduation when Rowe and Young meet to recap the last season in terms of participation from students and parents and in terms of finances from fundraising and ticket sales. The subject of discussion then quickly moves to personnel.

 

“We always have to start by looking at the strengths of the students who we think will be returning the following year,“ said Young. “We check and see the number of males vs. females, singers vs. dancers, leading men/women vs. character actors.”

 

After this initial meeting Young sets to the task of developing a list of possible shows for next season. The list is then dwindled down in subsequent meetings and conversations between Young and Rowe.

 

“We usually start with around 30 titles on the list,” said Young. “Sometimes Alice places conditions on me before I make the initial list, like, ‘Let’s do shows we have never done before.’ This year she told me she wouldn’t mind seeing something old and something new.”

 

Rowe and Young have arrived at the final five titles that are being considered for the school’s fall Senior Showcase and spring All-School Musical. In the spirit of the anniversary season, they are seeking the public’s input on which shows they would like to come see at the high school this year.  

 

Connect-Bridgeport is facilitating this community survey by providing a poll on their website that users can easily access and communicate with BHS Theatre by casting their votes. Click HERE and scroll down the page to find the poll. It's located on the right hand side. 

 

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The shows up for consideration are...

 

THE 25^th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE

Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless charm and humor. Featuring a fast-paced wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a truly fresh and vibrant score by William Finn, this bee is one unforgettable experience.

 

An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home life, the tweens spell their way through a series of [potentially made-up] words hoping to never hear the soul crushing, pout inducing, life un-affirming "ding" of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box.

 

A riotous ride complete with audience participation, The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, is delightful den of comedic genius.

 

THE ADDAMS FAMILY

The Addams Family features an original story, and it's every father's nightmare. Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family - a man her parents have never met. And if that weren't upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he's never done before - keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday's 'normal' boyfriend and his parents. 

 

 

HONK!

Since it first hatched in 1993 Stiles & Drewe’s musical HONK!  has winged its way around the world in over 8000 productions and in many different languages. Winner of multiple awards, including the 2000 Olivier Award for Best Musical, this heart-warming celebration of being different is sure to delight audiences of all ages with its sparkling wit and memorable score.

 

Ugly looks quite a bit different from his darling duckling brothers and sisters. The other animals on the farm are quick to notice and point this out, despite his mother's protective flapping. Feeling rather foul about himself, the little fowl finds himself on adventure of self discovery all the while unknowingly outwitting a very hungry Cat. Along the way Ugly meets a whole flock of unique characters and finds out being different is not a bad thing to be.

 

HONK! is a popular family-friendly pick. 

 

PETER PAN

Based on J.M. Barrie's classic tale and featuring an unforgettable score by Morris "Moose" Charlap

 

Peter and his mischievous fairy sidekick Tinkerbell visit the nursery of the Darling children late one night and with a sprinkle of pixie dust begin a magical journey across the stars that none of them will ever forget. In the adventure of a lifetime the travelers come face to face with a ticking crocodile, a fierce Indian tribe, a band of bungling pirates, and of course the villainous Captain Hook.

 

Featuring the iconic songs "I'm Flying," "I've Gotta Crow," "I Won't Grow Up," and "Never Never Land," and a rousing book full of magic, warmth, and adventure, Peter Pan is the perfect show for the child in all of us who dreamed of soaring high and never growing up.

 

MEL BROOK’S YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN

From the creators of the record-breaking Broadway sensation The Producers comes this monster new musical comedy. The comedy genius Mel Brooks adapts his legendarily funny film into a brilliant stage creation – Young Frankenstein!

 

Grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced "Fronk-en-steen") inherits his family's estate in Transylvania. With the help of a hunchbacked side-kick, Igor (pronounced "Eye-gore"), and a leggy lab assistant, Inga (pronounced normally), Frederick finds himself in the mad scientist shoes of his ancestors. "It's alive!" he exclaims as he brings to life a creature to rival his grandfather's. Eventually, of course, the monster escapes and hilarity continuously abounds.

 

Every bit as relevant to audience members who will remember the original as it will be to newcomers, Young Frankenstein has all the panache of the screen sensation with a little extra theatrical flair added.

 

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At the end of the day, other factors beyond the community vote will be considered when making the final decision; however, the community’s input will carry the most weight.

 

“We want this to be the biggest and best year in the history of the program,” said Young. “Getting the community involved early can only help us accomplish that.”

 

Anyone interested in more information about Bridgeport High School Theatre can contact Alice Rowe at 304-842-6785 or email Jason Young at BportHSTheatre@gmail.com.