M.H.S. Theatre announces 2012-13 season

A diverse trio of dramatic presentations will make up the 2012-13 season for Mundelein High School Theatre, recently announced by Director Jonathan Meier.

The fall show is the classic Shakespeare play, “Romeo and Juliet”, set for Nov. 15 to 17 at 7 p.m. and an additional performance on Nov. 15 at 3:45 p.m.

The intensity of youth explodes in the most celebrated love story of all time. Passion stirs the blood of young lovers and feuding families, hurling their fates to destiny — promising to ignite the Bard’s poetry on the M.H.S. stage.

The winter offering will be “Radium Girls,” scheduled for Jan. 31 to Feb. 2, with a 3:45 p.m. performance also on Jan. 31.

In 1926, radium was a miracle cure, and luminous watches the latest rage until the girls who painted them began to fall ill with a mysterious disease. Inspired by a true story, “Radium Girls” traces the efforts of Grace Fryer, a dial painter, as she fights for her day in court. As the case goes on, Grace finds herself battling not just with the U.S. Radium Corporation, but with her own family and friends, who fear her campaign for justice will backfire.

Called a “powerful” and “engrossing” drama by critics, “Radium Girls” offers a wry, unflinching look at the peculiarly American obsessions with health, wealth and the commercialization of science.

The spring musical will be “The Drowsy Chaperone” taking place May 2 to 4 at 7 p.m. and May 5 at 2 p.m.

It all begins when a die-hard musical fan plays his favorite cast album, a 1928 smash hit called “The Drowsy Chaperone,” and the show magically bursts to life. It is the glamorous, hilarious tale of a celebrity bride and her uproarious wedding day, complete with thrills and surprises.

“Since the first two shows are both a bit heavy, I went with a musical that is pure fun,” Meier said. “I try to select literature that will give our students a variety of experiences, while at the same time choosing shows that our audience will enjoy seeing.”