September 2023 - Page 24 of 30 - The BayNet

Boom Truck And Ford Mustang Collision In Morganza Sends One To Trauma Center

Accidents & Traffic

Collision Involving Boom Truck In Morganza Sends One To Trauma Center

by JB - Senior News Producer September 7, 2023September 7, 2023

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued In Maryland

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued In Maryland

by JB - Senior News Producer September 7, 2023September 7, 2023

Human Remains Believed To Be Linked To Murder Of Joseph Shymanski Discovered

Human Remains Believed To Be Linked To Murder Of Joseph Shymanski Discovered

by Calvert County Sheriff's Office September 7, 2023September 7, 2023

The stories of wanting to fit in while standing out, seeking out acceptance and love, wondering if chasing a dream is a goal or a distraction are among the themes taking center stage in “A Chorus Line: Teen Edition” performed by the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) All-County Thespian Troupe. Students from the seven high schools have spent part of the summer rehearsing for the show and working behind the scenes to produce “A Chorus Line: Teen Edition” Sept. 8 through 10 at St. Charles High School. The teen edition of the show edits out some of the profanity and more mature themes of the original show. CCPS theater teachers first began mulling the idea of staging an all-county musical while chatting during the Maryland Thespian Festival last January. Ben Simpson, a theater arts teacher at St. Charles, said CCPS has staged all-county plays in the past, but never a musical. “The only way to make it happen is if we did it over the summer,” Simpson said. The time crunch, along with bringing students together from different schools, meant the musical selection had to be one where they could hit the ground running. Since “A Chorus Line” is one of Simpson’s favorites, he suggested it as the all-county inaugural musical. “It has a limited set, limited costumes, it was a little more accessible,” he said. “It’s a fun story the kids can really delve into character-wise, and they can really embrace the real people that they are portraying.” CCPS theater teachers started pitching the show to students before the end of the 2022-2023 school year. Most of the students had no idea what the show — which debuted on Broadway in 1975 — was about. “I heard ‘A Chorus Line,’ and I thought I get to sing. We’d be singing, standing in a line,” Joshua Pelzer, a Westlake High School senior, said. “I get here and saw all this dancing and said, ‘Oh, my gosh.’” Pelzer, who has had roles in Westlake’s productions of “SpongeBob SquarePants,” “In the Heights,” and “The Descendants,” said he didn’t mind sacrificing part of his summer break to memorize lines and learn dance steps. “I’d rather spend my summer cooperating and being with everybody,” he said. Bringing together actors and tech staff from different schools went smoothly. Students interested in theater tend to share interests and cheer each other on. “You have great dancers, you have great singers, great tech people,” Pelzer said. “You put that all together and it just shows how amazing Charles County really is, performing arts wise.” St. Charles senior Ricaria Lawson admitted to being a bit nervous about auditioning for the show, eventually landing the role of Diana Morales. “It would be a privilege to work with some of the most talented people in the county,” she said. “I was onboard, and I was really excited about it.” During the early 1970s, Tony-winning director and choreographer Michael Bennett worked with friends who were performers on developing the show. The stories told during the musical were sourced from true stories of performers and inspired by others heard in auditions. In the show, while performers come from various backgrounds, have different experiences and trauma, there is something universal about all the stories. “What I like about the show is how we get every individual story,” said Pelzer, who plays Paul San Marco. “There’s not a main character. We’re not following Pippin or SpongeBob. We’re following Diana, we’re following Paul, we’re following Connie, Zach. We’re getting each story and how they meld together. I like it because you can find yourself in every single character on that stage.” Lawson said she thinks “A Chorus Line” will resonate with new audience members as it has for nearly 50 years. “These are real people. It’s gritty and talks about the fears and real possibilities the dancers might face if they can no longer act or dance,” she said. “It leaves the audience wondering what they would do if they could no longer do what they love.” Lawson has been active in theater at St. Charles where she has acted in “Legally Blonde,” “The Wiz,” and “Chicken & Biscuits.” She was the stage manager for “As You Like It,” and would like to continue to study theater in college. Working on a show with students from various schools has built bridges in the CCPS theater community. “I met some of my closest friends in the last few months,” she said. “I feel like we’ve built a family.” If you go: “A Chorus Line: Teen Edition” will be staged 7 p.m. Sept. 8 and 9, with matinees at 2 p.m. on Sept. 9 and 10. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens. CCPS employees can receive a complimentary ticket with presentation of CCPS badge. All shows will be staged at St. Charles High School at 5305 St. Linus Drive in Waldorf. Tickets can be purchased at mhsdrama303.booktix.net. Concessions will be sold before the show and during intermission. The concession stand only accepts cash.

Falling In Line – All-County Thespian Troupe To Stage ‘A Chorus Line’ Teen Edition

by Charles County Public Schools September 7, 2023September 7, 2023

Calvert County Native Writes Song Honoring Denise Evans, Who Tragically Passed Away In 1985

Calvert County Native Writes Song Honoring Denise Evans, Who Tragically Passed Away In 1985

by JJ Atchison September 7, 2023September 8, 2023

Blue Crabs Win By Narrow Margin Against Revs

Blue Crabs Win By Narrow Margin Against Revs

by Southern Maryland Blue Crabs September 7, 2023September 7, 2023

MSP Leonardtown Barrack Arrests, DUI’s And Warrants Served

MSP Leonardtown Barrack Arrests, DUI’s And Warrants Served

by Maryland State Police September 7, 2023September 7, 2023

Police Seek Community’s Assistance In Identifying Deceased Man

Police Seek Community’s Assistance In Identifying Deceased Man

by Prince George's County Police Department September 7, 2023September 7, 2023

PGPD Officer Suspended After Video Shows Him In Cruiser Back Seat With A Woman

Active Internal Affairs Division Investigation Underway Into Officer’s Actions In Viral Videos

by Prince George's County Police Department September 7, 2023September 7, 2023

Gov. Wes Moore Appoints Pamela Cousins Of Calvert County To CSM Board Of Trustees

Gov. Wes Moore Appoints Pamela Cousins Of Calvert County To CSM Board Of Trustees

by CSM Headlines September 7, 2023September 7, 2023

Cook Serves Up Second Helping Of Extra Inning Magic As Bowie Downs New Hampshire

Cook Serves Up Second Helping Of Extra Inning Magic As Bowie Downs New Hampshire

by Bowie Baysox September 7, 2023September 7, 2023

Major Upgrades Coming To Millison Plaza In Lexington Park

Economy & Business

Major Upgrades Coming To Millison Plaza In Lexington Park

by JJ Atchison September 7, 2023September 7, 2023

Maryland casino

Economy & Business

Maryland Casinos Generate $161.4 Million In Gaming Revenue During August 2023

by Maryland Lottery and Gaming September 7, 2023September 7, 2023

St. Charles High School

Fight Involving Several Students At St. Charles High School Under Investigation

by Charles County Sheriff's Office September 7, 2023September 7, 2023

DNR Maryland Fishing Report

Maryland DNR Fishing Report – September 7

by Department of Natural Resources September 7, 2023September 7, 2023