School plays galore

Young thespians throughout the region are preparing to hit local stages in a flurry of student productions being presented over the next few weeks.

Repertory at CHS

Coeur d'Alene High School Theatre Department will kick off its first repertory season with two different plays being staged on different nights from April 22 to May 3.

• "The Diviners"

A drama first performed by a professional repertory company in 1980, "The Diviners" is set in Depression-era Indiana.

Reviewers frequently use the word "miraculous" when describing the story of Buddy, a troubled teen terrified of water yet able to sense the presence of it. As the tale unfolds, Buddy, played by Tristan Puga, develops a relationship with a traveling Kentucky preacher, played by Kelton Pemp.

The cast and director, Jared Helm, say they are "proud to present a story of faith, life and love."

"The Diviners" will run at Coeur d'Alene High School, 5530 N. Fourth St., at 7 p.m. April 22 and 23, and May 1 and 2. Tickets are $8/adults, $6/students and seniors, $5/CHS students with ASB card. Buy tickets online, www.chstheater.org, by phone, (208) 769-2999, or at the door one hour before curtain.

• "Charlotte's Web"

Everyone's favorite spider, Charlotte, is about to do something TERRIFIC on the Coeur d'Alene High School stage.

"Charlotte's Web" is the other play the school's theater department is producing as part of its first repertory season.

Born the runt of his family, Wilbur the pig, played by Blake Coker, has to face what seems to be an inevitable death. But when the young and fiery Fern Arable, played by Bethany Stone, gathers the courage to plead for his life, it is spared, for a while. As Wilbur grows larger and older and moves to a different farm, he is befriended by a variety of new and friendly animals. When the pig is once again headed toward becoming bacon, his new friend, Charlotte, played by Paige Erbele, spins some life-saving words into her web.

"Charlotte's Web" will run at Coeur d'Alene High School, 5530 N. Fourth St., at 7 p.m. April 24, 25, 26, 29 and 30. Tickets are $8/adults, $6/students and seniors, $5/CHS students with ASB card. Buy tickets online, www.chstheater.org, by phone, (208) 769-2999, or at the door one hour before curtain.

• "The Baron's Daughter"

Written and directed by Mary E. Hanks, "The Baron's Daughter" will be performed April 23-25 at 7 p.m. at Christian Center School, 3639 W. Prairie Ave., Hayden.

In this play, described by the Hanks as a "foot-stomping cowboy tale," the citizens of Miles Gap want land for a church, but greedy Baron Von Zandenberg, played by sophomore Luke Ryssel, refuses to sell any of his massive holdings. When Jeb Donovan, played by senior Ian Van Ostrand, local cowboy and town hero, tries convincing the Baron it's the right thing to do, Jeb finds himself in a fist fight with the Baron's ruffians. All hope for a church seems lost until Cassandra, the Baron's daughter, played by senior Monica Macomber, returns to Miles Gap.

This is the school's 13th annual production.

Tickets are $5/adults, $3/students and children 3 and older, and are available at the door.

• "A Tribute to Monty Python"

Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy is producing "A Tribute to Monty Python," a compilation of some of the best sketches produced by the Monty Python team in their television show, Flying Circus. Included are favorites such as "Spam," "Dead Parrot," "The Argument Clinic," "Ministry of Silly Walks," and "Cheese Shop."

The cast includes an ensemble of 16 actors who each have several parts in the sketches. Notable veteran students include Jackson Widmyer, Sarah Marchese-Harrison, Rachel Averett and Ben Crotinger.

The show will be performed at 7 p.m. April 24 and 25, and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. April 26, at Christ the King Church, 1700 Pennsylvania Ave., Coeur d'Alene. All tickets are $5, available at the door one hour prior to performance.