LEAKY ROOF NO SHOW-STOPPER: 'Seussical' to take Fitchburg school stage at originally scheduled time

FITCHBURG, Mar 13, 2009 (Sentinel & Enterprise - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- NOSH | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Despite dates being changed and locations being moved due to a badly leaking roof, Fitchburg's districtwide musical will be performed at its originally scheduled date and time, district Arts Director Jennifer Jones said Thursday.

"The show must go on," Jones said. That means April 2 through 4, at Memorial Middle School.

Almost 80 students from kindergarten through 12th grade are performing the Dr. Seuss-inspired-musical, "Seussical."

A leaky roof last week forced district maintenance staff to put about a dozen buckets on the stage at Memorial, the original location for the show. Rehearsals were moved into Memorial's cafeteria and later to the B.F. Brown School.

Jones and the show's director, Cheryl Miller,

postponed the performance dates this week from early April until the second week of June. But when parents and students started complaining about the postponement, and the Sentinel & Enterprise started looking into the matter, officials moved the performance back to its original time and place.

"It's safe for the kids," Jones said. "That's what we needed to hear to go forward in April, so that's what we'll do."

District maintenance workers will repair the roof next week, maintenance Supervisor Bill Barletta said, preparing it for the early-April performances.

"I expect it to be fine, but nobody can make any guarantees," Barletta said.

Barletta said the leaks were caused by an ice dam on the roof. He said engineers will

visit the school in the coming weeks to assess the roof and give an estimate on how much it would cost to replace it.

Jones said families were concerned about the extra time postponing the musical would take for families.

In addition, the rehearsals would have run into other students' schedules for spring sports or other activities.

Jones said they originally chose to host the show at Memorial because it has the largest stage and most availability of the public schools.

Jones

Drama teacher Cheryl Miller works with cast members during a rehearsal of Seussical at Memorial Middle School in Fitchburg Thursday night. The show will be performed April 2 through April 4. (SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / BYRON SMITH)

said she and Miller spoke about trying to relocate the play to another school after the leaking problems began, such as Fitchburg High, McKay Elementary or B.F. Brown Arts Vision.

But, none were available, Jones said.

A parent and some students who spoke to the Sentinel & Enterprise said they're happy a final decision has been made and said they don't expect it will impact the show.

Janet Yost, parent of senior Emily Yost, who is in the show, said she's pleased the dates have been moved back to their original times. She said if the show had been held in June, it would have taken place after seniors had graduated.

"It makes sense to have it on the original days," Yost said.

Yost said she wondered why the show could

Fitchburg High senior Andrew Coleman and Memorial Middle School fifth-grader Ryan O Neil rehease their number. (SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / BYRON SMITH)

not just be performed at the high school, which has a newer auditorium. But Jones said the space was not available for the rehearsal and performances.

Fitchburg High senior Doug Dame, who plays Horton the elephant in the show, said he would like to see more community support for theater.

"The community should know we have a great program," he said. "And it could be even better if people come out and support us."

Dame said more elaborate shows cost additional money to put on. He said the program raises money through ticket sales, so he said it's important for the community to come to the shows.

"Come out and see the shows, introduce your young kids to it," Dame said.

Samantha Pesco, who will be doing technical work

Fitchburg has some really great talent. FHS junior Samantha Pesco

for the show, such as the lighting, agrees.

"The more participation we get from everyone, the better," said the Fitchburg High junior.

Pesco said the "Seussical" show is a great musical for any age group.

"It's a fun show because it's based on Dr. Seuss," she said. "Fitchburg has some really great talent and we'd love to showcase it to the community."

Dame said the show is perfect for young children with the colorful costumes and relatively short performance time.

Dame said he's excited about the show, now that he knows exactly where and when it's going to be.

Tickets for the show are $8 for adults and $4 for students and can be purchased at the door.

The show will be performed at 7 p.m. on April 2

The community should know we have a great program. FHS senior Doug Dame

and 3, and at 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 4.

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