Detweiler: A month for musicals and more

The month of March is named for Mars, the Roman god of war. As the saying goes: “March comes in like a lamb, out like a lion” (and vice versa). Ohioans know that March, although the beginning of spring, is one of the most fickle months of the year, weather-wise: 75 degrees one day, a blizzard the next.

But since my high school years at River Valley, March to me will always mean that it is time for high school musicals.

The first three weekends of March, the Palace is happy to host productions from three local high schools. It is not too late to catch the final performance of "Grease" this afternoon (March 5), produced by Ridgedale High School and directed by brand new mom, Amanda Zucker. Here’s a lady who can multi-task. Giving birth to her adorable son, Campbell Finn, on Jan. 5 and jumping right in and directing a high school musical with baby in tow (with a great deal of help from her producer, Julie McGinnis, and her creative team).

The weekend of March 10, Pleasant High School will present the rock and roll musical "All Shook Up," inspired by Shakespeare and featuring the music of Elvis Presley. The Palace’s very own Olivia Brazell (she is one of our rotating house managers and a frequent performer on the Palace stage) is the director, assisted by Jenna Wolff and Jason Frank. I’ve known Olivia since she was a kid doing summer musicals at the Palace, and it is great to see her passion for the theatre come to fruition.

Finally, Elgin will be presenting the spooky and hilarious "The Addams Family" St. Patrick’s Day weekend. Directed by Dan Perron, this musical was a big hit on Broadway in 2010 and is based on the comic strip by Charles Addams.

Although not being presented at the Palace, my alma mater will be presenting the musical "Mean Girls," written by Palace supporters Tina Fey and Jeff Richmond and directed by my high school buddy, Julia Griffiths Vanderhoff, April 14, 15 and 16 at River Valley High School.

Even if you don’t have a kid or grandchild in one of these shows, supporting them by buying a ticket not only supports the Palace Theatre but supports the arts programs at our area schools.

As for the Palace, the month of March continues to be busy after the high school musical weekends. On Friday, March 24, we are presenting a tribute to the Eagles with the cover band Hotel California and sponsored by Stifel Investments. On March 25, members of the Central Ohio Symphony will be performing a concert sponsored by Dr. Al and Ingrid May right here in the May Pavilion entitled “Go For Baroque,” featuring the music of Bach. We will close out the month of March with our production, "Nunsense A-Men!” March 30 through April 2 in the May Pavilion, directed by Clare Cooke, sponsored by Ted Graham and the Kathleen O’Shea Fund at the Marion Community. Enjoy dinner theatre catered by All Occasions Friday and Saturday or show only on Thursday and Sunday.

Tickets for most of these shows are available online at marionpalace.org or by phoning the box office at 740-383-2101.

Kirk Detweiler is the executive director of the Marion Palace Theatre. For more information about theatre events and activities, go to marionpalace.org.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: High school musicals and more at the Marion Palace Theatre in March