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Sneak peek: Video trailer for '13'

3/9/2017

You asked for it, you got it! A glimpse at our first show of the season, "13," the high-energy musical directed by Greg Shaw that opens Friday at Memorial Auditorium in Downtown Pittsburg. Details: www.pctinfo.org. Tickets: www.memorialauditorium.org

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It's show time!

3/9/2017

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Labels. Trying to fit in. Comedy. High-energy choreography. A terrific rock score by a live band. What's not to like? The Broadway musical "13" opens to the public tomorrow!

The curtain went up this morning for area schools driving several hundred students in from miles around for the chance to hear and see this performance.

Tickets may be purchased at www.memorialauditorium.org, by calling 620-231-7827, or at the box office during business hours and an hour before the show. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday!

Break a leg to cast, crew, band, and directors!

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Introducing the cast of 13: Sam Wise as Evan

3/5/2017

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Sam Wise wanted to play the lead role in "13" badly. Like, really badly. Enough to make the 1.5 hour trip from his home in Overland Park to audition, and then, when he landed the role, to make that same trip several nights a week for rehearsal! (Shout-out to his mom, Danielle Hedlund, for keeping the car gassed up and the keys ready!)

Sam is 14 years old and attends Oxford Middle School in Overland Park. He'd been a member of the cast of "13" once before — in the ensemble at Spinning Tree Theatre in Kansas City. He's also performed in Oliver! at Musical Theatre Heritage, and A Christmas Carol at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre.

This time around in "13," he's playing the role of Evan Goldman, a boy that has to move from New York City to small town, Appleton, Indiana after his parents get divorced. In order to fit in Evan feels it is important get all the cool kids to come to his bar mitzvah. He goes through a lot of good and bad friendships to try and find what/who he truly cares about.

Traveling to Pittsburg to be in "13" has helped Sam be able to relate to Evan in some ways, because Sam is coming to a smaller town from a larger one, and wants to fit in with his cast mates in the show. The difference for Sam, his mom says, is that he was welcomed and included immediately and feels he has made great friends here already.

"We even have favorite local spots like Root and El Caballo," his mom says.

The trip to and from isn't as hard as one might expect; Sam uses it to catch up on sleep or practices songs from the show or his other favorite musicals.

"Sam was excited to work with Director Greg Shaw after coming to see Addams Family at PHS last fall," his mom says. "It was obvious working with him would be a great learning opportunity."

The show runs Friday-Sunday, with performances Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. More details can be found on our show page at www.pctinfo.org. Tickets: www.memorialauditorium.org

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Show Music director MJ Harper on Labels and '13'

3/5/2017

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Anyone who has ever survived or intends to survive middle school should see “13,” says MJ Harper, musical director.

“There's a reason we call them stereotypes...because they exist in every school in every town,” she says. "There's the cool kids, there's the stoners, there's the jocks...and then there's me.”

Harper, now 30, was the quiet girl in middle school. She stayed in the back of the room and liked to read — her eighth grade year, she logged 91 books and had “an ungodly amount of AR points.” She didn’t have time to see movies; her family lived in the country.

She was also the large girl who decided in 6th grade she wouldn't wear jeans because they hurt, and she wouldn't wear dresses because her inner thighs would chafe until they bled.

“I was happiest reading and singing and playing violin and staying as invisible as possible,” she says, “which was quite a feat when I was one of two of the largest girls in school.”

At 13, she started Jenny Craig, followed by Slim Fast and Weight Watchers. Nothing stuck.

She tried volleyball but couldn’t keep up. She stopped dancing because she couldn’t fit into the costumes they wanted the girls to wear.

“So I was happiest just doing my own thing,” Harper says.

After graduating from Fort Scott High School in 2004, her thing was music. She graduated with a music education degree from Pittsburg State University and became a teacher. And now, a much lighter version of herself teaches students to sing out at Ft. Scott schools, where she once stayed quiet in the back of the room. She also teaches Zumba — a colorful, high energy, anything-but-quiet form of exercise. And, she has found her place in theatre bringing stories to life. Last summer in PCT’s “Gypsy,” she played Mama Rose, belting out powerhouse vocals to a standing ovation.

As an educator, Harper says it’s rewarding to see students from Pittsburg Community Middle School and Pittsburg High School, and from other schools in the area, bonding together in this show.

“Crispin is helping a younger student practice dance moves, while Maddie pulls the cheerleaders into the choir room to run their song,” she says.

“We’re building strong relationships in theatre — relationships that will last for an entire high school career for the younger ones,” she says. “And the experiences these students have through this production will trickle down to the students that will be them in just a few years.”

As for the show itself, it’s a must-see, she says.
“Think ‘Mean Girls’ with music and a male protagonist set in middle school. The story could be set in any time period in any school,” she says. “It’s relatable to all. And any member of the community will be proud to see these kids rocking out in all their teen angst on stage. They’re amazing.”

The show opens to schools on Thursday with a day-time performance. Shows for the public are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Details: www.pctinfo.org. Tickets: www.memorialauditorium.org

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Introducing the cast of 13: Maddy Emerson as Lucy

3/3/2017

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Introducing the cast of "13," our adaptation of the Broadway musical, that opens at Memorial Auditorium on March 10!

Maddy Emerson portrays "Lucy," the mean girl in school.

“She is kind of, for lack of a better term, sleazy,” says Maddy, whose recent credits include a Wickersham monkey in Seussical and an ancestor in The Addams Family. She also is a member of Encore choir. “I think teens and adults should see this show because it is funny and entertaining. It also gives a good insight to preteens/teens and how they are growing up.

Details and ticket info: www.pctinfo.org

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Introducing the cast of 13: Matthew Buck as Archie

3/3/2017

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Introducing the cast of "13," our adaptation of the Broadway musical, that opens at Memorial Auditorium on March 10!

Matthew Buck portrays "Archie," a student who is made fun of for his physical disability. He is befriended by the new boy, Evan, and an outcast, Patrice. Archie also is manipulative, though, and is able to get what he wants.

"Teenagers will like 13 because it is relevant to teenager's problems. Adults will enjoy the show because they were teens once themselves, and have dealt with some of the same issues. adults may laugh at some of the issues knowing that they are not as serious as teens see them,” says Matt, whose recent credits include a Wickersham monkey in Seussical, Lucas Beineke in The Addams Family, and Peter in Yours, Anne.

Details and ticket info: www.pctinfo.org

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Introducing the cast of 13: McKenna Shaw as Patrice

3/3/2017

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We're counting down the days until "13," our adaptation of the Broadway musical, that opens at Memorial Auditorium on March 10, and we'd like to introduce you to the cast.

McKenna Shaw portrays "Patrice," the outcast. Patrice is ostracized by her peers, but finds a friend in the new boy, Evan, when he moves to town. The two of them are friends with Archie, a student who is made fun of for his physical disability.

"Adults and teens alike should see this show," says McKenna, whose recent credits include Gertrude McFuzz in Seussical, Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family, Junie B. in Junie B. Jones, Anne Frank in Yours, Anne, and Annie in Annie, the musical. "It provides a good message of kindness for teens going through these tough years right now. As for adults, it brings a sense of nostalgia for them as they look back on their teen years. It's fun for the whole family!"

Details and ticket info: www.pctinfo.org

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PCT Backstage

Sneak peek: Video trailer for '13'

It's show time!

Introducing the cast of 13: Sam Wise as Evan

Show Music director MJ Harper on Labels and '13'

Introducing the cast of 13: Maddy Emerson as Lucy

Introducing the cast of 13: Matthew Buck as Archie

Introducing the cast of 13: McKenna Shaw as Patrice

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