Stay entertained at high school plays this weekend

Faculty and staff, along with parent volunteers, have worked long hours as well, along with doling out support and advice.

This weekend, those efforts will pay off when curtains rise at three area high schools.

Here are some of the shows theatergoers can take in.

The offerings include a drama, a thriller, and a high-spirited musical.

#145;Wait Until Dark,#146; Cary-Grove

For those who love thrillers, this play is for you. The lead character is blind and always trying to navigate with her eyes closed.

#147;This is a really great and challenging experience for the students,#148; said Laura Whalen, drama director at Cary-Grove High School. #147;They worked really hard and I think will be surprised at themselves.#148;

The play is about a girl who becomes the target of three con men when they search for a missing doll that they believe is in her apartment.

It opens today and runs through Saturday at Cary-Grove High School.

#145;The Diary of Anne Frank,#146; Hampshire High School

This nonfiction play offers a glimpse into the life of a young girl during the Holocaust.

The play opens with a scene in the dark attic where the lead character, Anne Frank is later found.

#147;When I was reading through scripts, none of the plays stuck out at me until I read #145;Anne Frank#146; and cried at the end,#148; said Jennifer Steljes, drama teacher and director.

#147;It still holds a very powerful role.#148;

Even though the cast is small, Steljes said she expects a few hundred people to attend.

The play opens Friday and runs through Saturday at Hampshire High School.

#145;Beauty and the Beast,#146; Central High School

Trying to make animated objects come to life can be a challenge for a cast and crew.

The school that has made itself known for high quality productions has turned to a more family-friendly show.

#147;It is a very tough time for families economically, so instead of a more educational show, I chose a more family friendly show so the whole family can come out to be entertained,#148; said Jeff Nesseth, director.

The main character in the fairy tale offers to take her father#146;s place as prisioner of a beast who lives under a mysterious curse.

The show opens today and will run through Saturday at Central High School, Burlington.