WBHS Theatre Arts Program 2012-2013 Theatre Season
Fall Production: Radium Girls
Based on actual events, Radium Girls follows the story of one woman's pursuit for social justice in the face ruthless industrialists who opt to protect company profits over the health of their workers. 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. For additional information, visit Dramatic Publishing, Inc.
Children's Show: Bedbugs
Are wicked witches always bad? That depends on your perspective. Marie is a little girl who likes to jump on her bed, but to the bedbugs being squished underfoot, she is the wicked witch who causes earthquakes, among other natural disasters. The microscopic citizens of her bed are up in arms (and legs!) over the rhyme her mother says to her every night before bed: “Good night, sleep tight. Don’t let the bedbugs bite. And if they do, you squeeze them tight, and then they won’t bite tomorrow night.” Peter feels they must take action against the witch before the rhyme’s ominous “squeezing” starts. Patsy, however, prefers a peaceful approach. Despite Patsy’s objections, the bedbugs launch a full-scale attack against Marie, prompting her to investigate with her magnifying glass. To her surprise, there really are bedbugs... and they have something to say! Brave Patsy leads the peace talks, and Marie finally realizes the damage she’s been causing and apologizes.
MIFA One-Act Festival: Lend Me a Tenor
This night in September of 1934 is the biggest in the history of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company world famous tenor Tito Morelli is to perform Otello , his greatest role, at the gala season opener. Saunders, the harried General Manager, hopes this will put Cleveland on the cultural map. Morelli is nowhere to be found; when he finally arrives drunk, it is too late for any rehearsal. Through a hilarious series of mishaps, 'Il Stupendo' is given a double dose of tranquilizers and he passes out. His pulse is so low that Saunders and his assistant Max believe he is dead. Saunders coaxes Max into Morelli's costume, intending to fool the audience with this fake 'Il Stupendo', blackface and all. Nervous amateur Max succeeds admirably, but Morelli revives and dresses for his second act. With two Otellos now in costume, the farce spins out of control onstage and off.
2013 Orchard Lake Student Film Festival, Featuring: N.E.R.F., Amber Gram, & Therapy
This year The Orchard Lake Student Film Festival marks its fourth anniversary. Once again, WBHS will play host to high school students from across Southeast Michigan as they gather to share and screen their latest film creations.
Spring Musical: Ragtime
Based on the 1975 novel by E. L. Doctorow, Ragtime tells the story of three groups in the United States in the early 20th century; African-Americans, represented by Coalhouse Walker Jr., a Harlem musician; upper-class suburbanites, represented by Mother, the matriarch of a white upper-class family in New Rochelle, New York; and Eastern European immigrants, represented by Tateh, a Jewish immigrant from Latvia. Many historical figures such as Harry Houdini, Evelyn Nesbit, Booker T. Washington, J. P. Morgan, Henry Ford, Stanford White, Harry Kendall Thaw, Admiral Peary, Matthew Henson, and Emma Goldman are also represented in the stories. For additiona information, visit Music Theatre International.