Past shows
A record of excellence earned competitions. Celebrating the talent and dedication of every student who took the stage.
2025-26
By Fred Ebb & Bob Fosse
Chicago: Teen Edition
In the jazz-age "Roaring Twenties," ambition can be murder. When chorus girl Roxie Hart lands on death row next to her rival Velma Kelly, the two "Merry Murderesses" hire smooth-talking lawyer Billy Flynn to turn their crimes into a sensational media spectacle. Packed with fame, fortune, and plenty of jazz, Chicago: Teen Edition is a fast-paced, high-energy satire where competing for headlines is a matter of life and death.
By Oscar Wilde
The Importance of Being Earnest
When double lives lead to double the trouble, triviality becomes a high art. In this classic comedy of manners, Algernon Moncrieff and John Worthing invent fictional alter egos named Ernest to escape their rigid social duties and win the hearts of two wealthy ladies. However, their elaborate deceptions quickly unravel when their lies collide under the sharp eye of the formidable Lady Bracknell. Full of biting wit and hilarious misunderstandings, The Importance of Being Earnest proves that being earnest is far more complicated than it seems.
By Don Zolidis
The A.I. Play
When a simple chatbot shortcut lands you in a high-tech prison, human intelligence is your only way out. After using AI to fake a school essay, Eleanor is trapped in a mysterious academy alongside other tech-dependent students. The A.I. Play is a hilarious, fast-paced comedy that follows this group of captive teenagers as they try to outsmart a digital prison and stage the ultimate human-powered break.
By Anais Mitchell
Hadestown: Teen edition
A haunting journey to the underworld begins with a single melody. In a world gripped by poverty, the young musician Orpheus risks everything to rescue his true love, Eurydice, from the industrialized depths of Hadestown. Specially adapted for young performers, Hadestown: Teen Edition redefines a timeless myth through a soulful, folk-infused score about hope, doubt, and the strength of community.
2024-25
By Sandy Rustin
Clue
It’s a dark and stormy night, and six eccentric guests have been invited to an unusual dinner party where murder and blackmail are on the menu. Based on the iconic movie and classic board game, the LSHS fall play Clue is a hilarious farce-meets-murder mystery written by Sandy Rustin. Join Miss Scarlet, Professor Plum, Mrs. White, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock, and Colonel Mustard as they race to find the killer while the body count stacks up. Was it in the library with the candlestick, or the conservatory with the wrench? Grab your tickets and try to figure out who did it, where, and with what!
By William Shakespeare
Henry V
Experience the thrill of battle and the heavy weight of the crown in William Shakespeare's historical masterpiece, Henry V. This competitive one-act production brings the grit and glory of the Battle of Agincourt to the LSHS stage. Watch as a young King Henry transforms from a reckless youth into a legendary leader, rallying his heavily outnumbered English troops against the formidable French army. With rousing speeches, intense combat, and profound questions of leadership, this classic tale will leave you breathless.
By Alyssa Hahn
Heist2
Get ready for a high-stakes, hilarious adventure with Heist2, an original student-led one-act written by Alyssa Hahn. When a masterfully planned robbery goes completely off the rails, an eccentric crew of thieves must improvise to keep their ultimate score from slipping through their fingers. Directed and performed entirely by LSHS students, this action-packed comedy is full of unpredictable twists, double-crosses, and laugh-out-loud mishaps. Can they pull off the perfect crime, or will their fragile alliances crumble under the pressure?
By Adolph Green and Betty Comden
Singin' in the rain
Grab your umbrellas and get ready for a downpour of pure musical joy with the LSHS spring production of Singin' in the Rain, featuring a book by Adolph Green and Betty Comden. This legendary movie musical is faithfully adapted for the stage with all the classic charm of 1920s Hollywood. Follow silent film stars Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont as their studio transitions to the precarious new world of "talking pictures," leading to hilarious complications and unexpected romances. With unforgettable tap dancing, side-splitting physical comedy, and iconic songs, this spectacular show is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
2023-24
By Tim Kelly
Hound of the Baskervilles
Step onto the misty moors of Devonshire with the LSHS fall play, Hound of the Baskervilles, adapted by Tim Kelly. The legendary detective Sherlock Holmes and his trusted companion Dr. Watson are called to investigate a terrible family curse that threatens the life of the newest Baskerville heir. As terrifying howls pierce the fog and mysterious figures lurk in the shadows, Holmes must untangle a web of deception before the supernatural beast strikes again. This thrilling mystery will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final, shocking deduction.
By Gary Peterson
The Great Gatsby
Step into the extravagant world of the Jazz Age with Gary Peterson's one-act adaptation of The Great Gatsby. This competitive piece brings F. Scott Fitzgerald's timeless American classic to the stage, following the enigmatic Jay Gatsby as he throws lavish parties in pursuit of his lost love, Daisy Buchanan. Narrated by his observant neighbor Nick Carraway, the story unravels the glittering facade of wealth to reveal the tragic consequences of unchecked ambition and obsession. Experience the romance, the tragedy, and the dazzling green light of 1920s Long Island.
By Tim Kelly
How to kiss a girl
Navigate the painfully awkward and hilarious world of teenage romance in Wade Bradford's How to Kiss a Girl. This student-led one-act follows the endearing struggles of a nervous teenager trying to figure out the seemingly impossible mechanics of his first kiss. Through a series of over-the-top daydreams, misguided advice from friends, and laugh-out-loud hypothetical scenarios, our hero attempts to find the courage to finally make a move.
By Gary Peterson
Footloose
Kick off your Sunday shoes and get ready to dance with the explosive LSHS spring musical, Footloose, penned by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie. When city boy Ren McCormack moves to a small Midwestern town, he is shocked to discover that dancing and rock music have been strictly outlawed by the local reverend. Determined to bring life back to the community, Ren teams up with the reverend's rebellious daughter to organize a senior prom and challenge the town's strict traditions. Packed with iconic 80s anthems and high-energy choreography, this exhilarating production is a celebration of youth, freedom, and the healing power of music.
2022-23
By Tim Kelly
Little Women
Join the March sisters on a timeless journey of love, loss, and sisterhood in Thomas Hischak's adaptation of Little Women. Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, this beloved classic follows Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy as they navigate the trials of growing up and pursuing their distinct dreams. Watch the fierce and independent Jo clash with societal expectations while trying to forge a career as a writer. Through heartache and triumph, the unbreakable bond between the sisters remains the heart of this touching play.
By Sarah Ruhl
Eurydice
Sarah Ruhl's Eurydice reimagines the classic myth of Orpheus through the eyes of its tragic heroine, brought to life in this competitive one-act. On her wedding day, Eurydice suffers a fatal accident that plunges her into an Underworld where memories are washed away. There, she reunites with her beloved father and must choose between the comfort of her forgotten past and the husband who risks everything to bring her back to the world of the living. This visually stunning and emotionally resonant piece explores the fragility of love, the pain of loss, and the power of memory.
By Don Zolidis
It's Not You, It's Me
Breakups are rarely easy, but they can be incredibly funny in Don Zolidis's student-led one-act, It's Not You, It's Me. Explore a rapid-fire sequence of the most awkward, outrageous, and agonizing romantic splits imaginable. From dramatic declarations to bizarre excuses, our LSHS student directors and actors capture the universal cringe of ending a relationship. Get ready for a hilarious, fast-paced comedy that proves sometimes the only way to get over a broken heart is to laugh at it.
By Catherine Johnson
Mamma Mia!
Pack your bags for a sun-drenched Greek island with the production of Mamma Mia!, featuring the irresistible music of ABBA and a book by Catherine Johnson. Young Sophie is about to get married, but she wants her father to walk her down the aisle—the only problem is, she doesn't know who he is. After secretly reading her mother Donna's old diary, she invites three men from Donna's past to the wedding, sparking 24 hours of chaos, romance, and non-stop dancing. You won't be able to resist singing along to this joyful, energetic musical celebration of mothers, daughters, and old friends.
2021-22
By William Shakespeare
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Wander into an enchanted forest where fairies meddle in the affairs of mortals in William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night's Dream. This LSHS fall play weaves together the hilarious misadventures of four runaway lovers, a troupe of clumsy amateur actors, and a magical feud between the King and Queen of the fairies. When the mischievous Puck starts applying a potent love potion to the wrong sleeping eyelids, absolute chaos ensues. Prepare for a whimsical night of mistaken identities, spellbinding poetry, and uproarious comedy.
By George Bernard Shaw
Overruled
Dive into the sharp, satirical wit of George Bernard Shaw with the competitive one-act production of Overruled. This clever comedy unfolds when two married gentlemen, each secretly pursuing a romantic dalliance on a summer cruise, unexpectedly cross paths and discover they are actually trying to woo each other's wives. As the four characters are forced to confront their tangled web of flirtations, Shaw brilliantly skewers the hypocrisies of traditional Edwardian marriage and social conventions. Enjoy a sophisticated and fast-paced battle of words that will leave you chuckling at the absurdity of upper-class romance.
By Jonathan Rand
Check Please
Dating can be a nightmare, and Jonathan Rand's Check Please proves it with a parade of truly disastrous blind dates. In this student-led one-act, follow two hopeful singles as they sit across the table from a bizarre cast of characters, including a raging kleptomaniac, an overly aggressive sports fan, and someone who brings their grandmother along for the ride. This comedy perfectly captures the desperate, laugh-out-loud reality of trying to find the perfect match. You will be begging for the check right alongside them!
By Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey
Grease
Journey back to the 1950s at Rydell High with the electrifying musical, Grease, created by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. After a sweet summer romance, bad-boy Danny Zuko and good-girl Sandy Dumbrowski unexpectedly reunite when Sandy transfers to his school. As they navigate the tricky social dynamics of the Burger Palace Boys and the Pink Ladies, the two must figure out if their love can survive the pressure of high school cool. Packed with slicked-back hair, poodle skirts, and iconic rock 'n' roll hits, this timeless musical is undeniably the one that you want.
2020-21
By Various authors
Monologue Cabaret
Actors take center stage one by one, delivering a diverse collection of dramatic, comedic, and deeply personal monologues. It is an intimate evening of storytelling that highlights the emotional range and dedication of the cast.
By Willie E. Jones III
Cloths of Heaven
Explore the delicate threads of human connection in Willie E. Jones III's gripping competitive one-act, Cloths of Heaven. This thought-provoking piece weaves a rich tapestry of emotion as characters navigate love, vulnerability, and the sacrifices we make for one another. With poetic dialogue and intense staging, the production asks difficult questions about what we are willing to lay at the feet of those we care about. Prepare for a moving and unforgettable theatrical experience.
By Various authors
One Act Triple Feature
Why settle for one story when you can enjoy three? The One Act Triple Feature offers a dynamic showcase of short plays written by various authors and directed entirely by students. Come support emerging student directors as they bring these distinct and captivating worlds to life in a single, fast-paced evening.
By Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice
The Addams Family
Embrace the delightfully macabre with the spring musical production of The Addams Family, featuring a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family. Everything changes for the iconic, eccentric household when they host a dinner for Wednesday's "normal" boyfriend and his parents. Expect spooky sets, catchy musical numbers, and a hilarious clash of cultures as the Addams clan tries to survive one terrifyingly ordinary night.
2019-20
By John Cariani
Almost Maine
Welcome to a cold, clear, moonless night in the mythical town of Almost Maine. In John Cariani's heartwarming fall play, the residents of this quirky northern community find themselves falling in and out of love in the strangest of ways. As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, a series of playful and surreal vignettes unfolds, exploring the sudden magic and gentle heartbreak of romance. Bundle up for a charming, whimsical journey that will warm your heart despite the freezing temperatures.
By Don Zolidis
The Brothers Grimm Specaculathon
Hold onto your fairy tales, because Don Zolidis’s The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon turns the stories you know upside down. Two wildly enthusiastic narrators attempt to combine all 209 original Grimm fairy tales into one massive, chaotic narrative. Featuring a cast of familiar characters who are suddenly much more cynical, demanding, and ridiculous than you remember, this competitive one-act is a non-stop comedic rollercoaster. Watch as princesses, wolves, and talking animals collide in an outrageously fast-paced attempt to reach the ultimate happy ending
2018-19
By James W. Rodgers
It's a Wonderful Life
Rediscover the true meaning of the holidays with James W. Rodgers' stage adaptation of It's a Wonderful Life. Follow the beloved story of George Bailey, a man who has given up his personal dreams to help his community, only to face financial ruin on Christmas Eve. When a gentle guardian angel descends to show George what the world would look like had he never been born, a profound journey of gratitude begins. This timeless classic fall play is a moving reminder of the impact one life can have on countless others.
By Peter Tarsi
Tracks
A group of strangers meet in a dirty subway station, only to realize they have no idea how they arrived or where the next train will take them. Peter Tarsi's Tracks is a tense, philosophical competitive one-act that challenges its characters to confront their pasts and guess their ultimate destinations. As they debate whether the impending train leads to heaven or hell, hidden secrets and true natures are dramatically revealed. This thought-provoking drama will keep audiences guessing until the final boarding call.
By Doug Wright, Alan Menken and Howard Ashman
The Little Mermaid
Venture under the sea with the enchanting spring musical, The Little Mermaid, featuring the legendary music of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman alongside Doug Wright's book. Ariel, an adventurous young mermaid, longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above, striking a dangerous bargain with the evil sea witch Ursula to trade her voice for human legs. With the help of her colorful aquatic friends, Ariel must win the heart of Prince Eric to break the curse. Bursting with beloved songs and vibrant choreography, this magical production brings a classic animated fairy tale to dazzling life on stage.
2017-18
By Joseph Kesselring
Arsenic and Old Lace
Meet the Brewsters, a charmingly eccentric family with a very dark secret, in Joseph Kesselring's classic dark comedy Arsenic and Old Lace. Drama critic Mortimer Brewster discovers that his sweet, spinster aunts have taken up a deadly new hobby: poisoning lonely old men with elderberry wine. As Mortimer scrambles to cover up their crimes, he must also deal with his delusional brother who thinks he is Teddy Roosevelt, and the sudden arrival of a truly sinister sibling. Get ready for a night of frantic cover-ups, hidden bodies, and non-stop laughter in this chaotic fall play.
By George Bernard Shaw
Passion, Poison and Petrifaction
George Bernard Shaw delivers absurd melodrama in the fast-paced competitive one-act, Passion, Poison and Petrifaction. A jealous husband decides to murder his wife's lover by serving him a glass of poisoned seltzer water. However, the assassination plot quickly devolves into chaos as an antidote is desperately sought, leading to a bizarre incident involving wet plaster. This brief, farcical tragedy is a brilliantly ridiculous satire of Victorian theatrical tropes.
By Rogers and Hammerstein
Cinderella
Experience the magic of a pumpkin turning into a carriage in the timeless spring musical, Cinderella, by the legendary duo Rogers and Hammerstein. Forced to serve her cruel stepmother and stepsisters, a kindhearted young woman's life changes forever when her Fairy Godmother grants her one spectacular night at the royal ball. As the clock strikes midnight, a single glass slipper becomes the key to a breathtaking happily-ever-after. With a sweeping score and stunning transformations, this production captures the beauty of dreams coming true.
2016-17
By William Shakespeare
Romeo and Juliet
Two star-crossed lovers are caught in the crossfire of an ancient family feud in William Shakespeare's immortal tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. Set against the violent backdrop of Verona, the young heirs of the rival Montague and Capulet houses risk everything to be together. Their secret marriage sparks a chain of devastating events, proving both the boundless power of love and the bitter cost of hatred. Witness the world's most famous romance unfold in a gripping, emotionally charged fall production.
By Jeffrey Hatcher
Murder By Poe
Descend into madness and mystery with Murder By Poe, a competitive one-act adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher. A mysterious woman finds herself trapped in a dark house, confronted by a series of chilling figures who recount the twisted tales of Edgar Allan Poe. Elements from classic gothic stories bleed together in this thrilling, suspenseful performance. It is a haunting, atmospheric play that will undoubtedly send shivers down your spine.
By Abe Burrows and Joe Swerling
Guys and Dolls
Roll the dice and hit the vibrant streets of New York City in the classic spring musical Guys and Dolls, featuring a book by Abe Burrows and Joe Swerling. High-rolling gambler Sky Masterson takes a bet that he can woo a straight-laced mission worker, while the perpetually engaged Nathan Detroit scrambles to find a location for his illegal craps game. As the worlds of colorful hustlers and righteous reformers collide, romance blossoms in the most unlikely places. Packed with snappy dialogue and brassy musical numbers, this show is a surefire winner.