Shorewood Drama Grabs 13 Tommy Awards for 'Spring Awakening,' 'Godspell'

Building on its stamp as a "world-renowned" program, Shorewood High School Drama fielded more than a dozen awards from 25 nominations for its winter and spring productions.

Shorewood Drama Grabs 13 Tommy Awards for 'Spring Awakening,' 'Godspell'

Building on its stamp as a "world-renowned" program, Shorewood High School Drama fielded more than a dozen awards from 25 nominations for its winter and spring productions.

Building on its stamp as a "world-renowned" program, Shorewood Drama garnered 25 nominations and brought home 13 Tommy Awards for its productions of Spring Awakening and Godspell.  Out of 14 nominations for the statewide honor, Shorewood High School's theater program received awards for its spring production Spring Awakening — a rock adaptation of Frank Wedekind’s 1891 expressionist play, which tells the story of 19th century German teenagers facing issues related to sexuality. Shorewood Drama also fielded one award, from 10 nominations, for its winter musical Godspell. The musical by Stephen Schwartz is a modern account of the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The relevant and powerful musical questions and analyzes everyday choices …

• Photos (2)

'Spring Awakening' Tickets Now on Sale

Tickets run $10 for adults, $5 for students for Shorewood Drama's production of "Spring Awakening" this May. The rock adaptation of Frank Wedekind’s 1891 expressionist play deals with taboo topics like suicide, teen pregnancy and masturbation.

Tickets are now available for Shorewood Drama's production of Spring Awakening this May.  Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.  The rock adaptation of Frank Wedekind’s 1891 expressionist play tells the story of 19th century German teenagers facing issues related to their sexuality. The controversial, Tony Award-winning musical hit Broadway in 2006.  It had been banned in Germany (and in the United States) due to its controversial subject matter. It deals with taboo topics like suicide, teen pregnancy, masturbation and sexual assault. Performances run May 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18 at 7 p.m. with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. on May 12.

• Photos (1)

Show Case to Display Talent at Shorewood High School

The largely student-directed talent show will showcase musicians, dancers and comedians Friday and Saturday.

Building on a successful Show Circle performance by Shorewood middle school students last weekend, it's the high school's turn this Friday and Saturday as they put on the Show Case talent show.  The show — starting both nights at 7 p.m. in the Shorewood High School auditorium, 1701 E. Capitol Dr. — will feature a variety of performances, including vocal music, instrumental music, dancing, monologues, drumming and percussion, bands, standup comedy and even an original puppet show.  Show Case serves as a joint fundraiser for both the AFS Exchange Student program and high school drama department.  Tickets are available by filling out a form at the high school front office, through any cast member, by mailing your check and order to Mr. Joe …

• Photos (1)

SHS Drama Announces Winter Musical 'Godspell'

A cast of 22 actors present the Stephen Schwartz musical, which questions and analyzes everyday choices between right and wrong through song and dance.

Shorewood High School drama will present the upbeat and energetic musical Godspell Feb. 7 through 10. The musical by Stephen Schwartz is a modern and refreshing account of the Gospel according to St. Matthew.  The relevant and powerful musical questions and analyzes everyday choices between right and wrong through song and dance.  The high school cast includes 22 actors, a live pit orchestra featuring SHS band students, and a crew of over 20 technical theatre artists. All performances will be in the Shorewood High School Auditorium, 1701 E. Captiol Dr., at 7 p.m. and 2 p.m. for the Sunday matinee.  Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets are available from any cast member, by mailing your order to Shorewood High …

•  6 Comments
• Photos (1)

Shorewood Snapshot: Volunteer during Yard Clean-Up Day; 'Lend Me a Tenor'

A look at this week's local events and news.

Here's a look at what's coming up this week in Shorewood. If we're missing something, please add it to the calendar. Give Back during Yard Clean-Up Day — Raking the autumn leaves, taming garden beds, subduing the hedges and untangling the water hoses can be difficult for older adults and the disabled. Shorewood Connects hopes to address the issue with its annual Yard Clean-Up Day on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, linking volunteers with those who need a hand with yard chores. About 150 volunteers are needed this year to meet the demand for help, and it's a chance to give back to the community and help your neighbors. Older and disabled adults seeking more information about yard clean-up should contact Elizabeth Price of the Shorewood Senior…

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Adam W. McCoy

9:13 am on Monday, October 29, 2012

Thanks for the update. I'll update the article.   more ›

The Shorewood Insider

Shorewood Theater Legend, Gensler, Raises Curtain on Last Big Act

What started as a safety net for an acting career became a 45-year success story for Shorewood's Barbara Gensler, who launched countless careers instead of her own. Stars shine in Shorewood's AIDA, Gensler's last, big, musical at Shorewood High School.

It's show time in Shorewood, and the big spring show is AIDA, the Tony-award-winning rock musical by Elton John and Tim Rice. This is what Shorewood is all about. Starting in the early 20's, when community businesses and the school came together to build a campus that was infused with a grand auditorium, Shorewood High School and the drama department became central to the village.  Now, in 2012, the drama department, as the one performing arts group that serves as the reward for volunteers in the village and district (May 17 this year), Shorewood drama does not disappoint, partly because it thinks it's a professional company, and doesn’t know it’s inside a high school. One person has kept it going strong for the last 45 years. The …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (6)

Jenny Heyden

2:13 pm on Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Beautiful images from Closing Night, and Seniors and Barbara Gensler kiss the stage: http://johnohara.zenfolio.com/aida0519   more ›

Cinderella, the Musical

Shorewood Intermediate School students rehearse their updated production of Cinderella running Friday through Sunday in the high school auditorium.

Shorewood Intermediate School drama students present an updated version of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, Friday through Sunday in the SHS auditorium, 1701 E. Capitol Dr. Rapping royals, unexpected animals and a dancing steward are just a few of the surprises in store. Beloved and retired music teacher Jayne Perkins musical directs (and made the costumes), while Maripat Wilkinson, SHS Alumna and professional director, is at the helm of this middle school production on the Shorewood High School stage. Showtimes are 7 p.m. on Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $8 ($5 for children under 10). Call the box office at 414-963-6940 and find information online.

•  1 Comment
• Photos (8)

High School Production of 'Avenue Q' Hits the Stage this Weekend

With Director Barbara Gensler injured, Shorewood alumni save the show.

With Shorewood Drama Director Barbara Gensler wheelchair bound with a broken leg and no longer teaching, Shorewood alumni have returned to help pull together the especially challenging school edition of "Avenue Q." Bill Trost, from the class of 1953, has put in about 500 hours with Shorewood senior Emily Hoffman to craft the puppets for the show. Alumna Holly Stanfield is assistant directing, and alumnus William Hindin is directing and conducting the music. Both are from the class of '72. Peggy Peterson-Ryan, who graduated in 1970, is assisting Hindin. And Helen Morrison, from the class of '74, is in from Tokyo to help with the choreography. The show has been edited from the original version to make it more age-appropriate. Trekkie Monster…

•  2 Comments
• Videos (1)

Jenny Heyden

6:46 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012

http://beta.realmilwaukeenow.com/2012/tony-gives-you-a-special-preview-of-the-shorewood-high-school-production-of-avenue-q/   more ›

Shorewood Alumni Come to Rescue of Beloved Drama Director

With treatments for breast cancer having Shorewood High School drama legend Barbara Gensler feeling weakness in her legs, her former students have come back to help.