The auditoriums of the Freehold Regional High School District schools are alive with the sound of musicals. Upcoming performances include the following:
• Manalapan High School presents “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime.
While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake.
Six spellers enter; one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box.
Performances at Manalapan High School will be March 2-4 at 6:30 p.m. A matinee will be held at 2 p.m. March 4.
• Howell High School presents “Legally Blonde The Musical.” Based on the movie, “Legally Blonde The Musical” follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes, snobbery and scandal in pursuit of her dreams.
Elle appears to have it all, but her life is turned upside-down when her boyfriend dumps her so he can start getting serious about his life and attend Harvard Law. Determined to get him back, Elle uses her charm to get into Harvard Law.
At school, she struggles with peers, professors and Warner Huntington. With the help of Paulette and Emmett, though, Elle quickly realizes her potential and sets out to prove herself to the world.
Performances at Howell High School will be March 3-4 and March 10-11 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15.
• Freehold Township High School presents “9 to 5.” With music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick, “9 to 5” is based on the 1980 hit movie. Pushed to the boiling point, three female co-workers concoct a plan to get even with their sexist, egotistical boss.
In a hilarious turn of events, Violet, Judy and Doralee live out their wildest fantasy – giving their boss the boot! While Hart remains “otherwise engaged,” the women give their workplace a dream makeover, taking control of the company that had always kept them down.
Performances at Freehold Township High School will be held on March 9-11 at 7 p.m. A matinee performance will be held at 1 p.m. March 11. Tickets purchased in advance are $10 for general admission and $5 for students and seniors. Tickets purchased at the door are $12 for general admission and $6 for students and seniors.
• Colts Neck High School presents “Godspell.” A small group of people help Jesus Christ tell different parables using games, storytelling techniques and hefty doses of comic timing.
An eclectic blend of songs, ranging in style from pop to vaudeville, is employed as the story of Jesus’ life dances across the stage. Led by the international hit, “Day by Day,” “Godspell” also features “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord,” “Learn Your Lessons Well,” “All for the Best,” “All Good Gifts,” “Turn Back, O Man” and “By My Side.”
Performances at Colts Neck High School will be held on March 17, March 24 and March 25 at 7 p.m. There will be a matinee at 1 p.m. March 18. Tickets are $10 each and may be purchased in advance at https://cnhsnj.booktix.com/
• Freehold High School, Freehold Borough, presents “Monty Python’s Spamalot.” Based on the film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” the show finds King Arthur traveling around England recruiting his Knights of the Round Table.
When King Arthur and his band of misfit knights finally gather in Camelot, they receive a charge from God to find the Holy Grail. The quest brings King Arthur and the knights to strange places and into the company of strange characters, challenging them to keep their heads on straight or die terribly weird deaths.
Performances at Freehold High School will be March 17-18 at 7 p.m. A matinee will be held at 1 p.m. March 18. Tickets are $10.
• Marlboro High School presents “Crazy for You,” a tale about a boy, a girl and a theater in need of salvation. Bobby Child is a well-to-do 1930s playboy whose dream in life is to dance. He is sent to foreclose on a property that turns out to be a theater.
After falling in love with the local postmistress, Bobby decides to put on a show to save the theater. Memorable Gershwin tunes include “I Can’t Be Bothered Now,” “I Got Rhythm,” “They Can’t Take That Away from Me,” “Nice Work if You Can Get It,” “Embraceable You” and “Someone to Watch Over Me.”
Performances at Marlboro High School will be March 30 at 6:30 p.m. and March 31 and April 1 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12.