HHS Theatre to Offer a Season of ‘Hopes and Dreams’

Hillsborough High School Theatre will focus on “Hopes and Dreams” during the 2011-2012 season.

Director B.J. Solomon said the group will kick off its second official theater season with a fall play, “Metamorphoses” by Mary Zimmerman. Solomon described the play as “a modern retelling of Ovid’s myths,” including the tales of Midas, Narcissus and Pandora as well as some lesser-known myths.

One of the highlights of the production, Solomon noted, will be the first time the group has used a 12-foot by 24-foot pool of water on stage. “It is a fascinating work,” he added.

In honor of the 100-year anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, HHS Theatre’s musical production of “Titanic,” with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston and book by Peter Stone. The play won the 1997 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book.

“The story is unlike a lot of the stories about the Titanic,” Solomon said. “There is no Jack and Rose. It is not based on the movie. They actually took real-life biographies of the people and tell stories of some of the unknown second and third class passengers on the ship as well as people like Molly Brown. It is an amazingly beautiful piece but very unknown to a lot of people.” ”

As for the production itself, he pointed out that there are no leads but 44 supporting actors. In addition, HHS Theatre will be renting the original Broadway costumes as well as props from the movie.

The spring production will be “Moon Over Buffalo” by Ken Ludwig. Set in Buffalo, New York, the original comic production was first staged in the 1990s and starred Carol Burnett.

“Moon Over Buffalo” is the story of a couple who are actors in their 50s. They are told that famed film director Frank Capra is coming to see them perform. That is when anything that can go wrong does go wrong and, according to Solomon, “a hilarious farce” ensues.

The final production will be “Hillsborough Shorts,” a collection of student-directed one-acts.

HHS Theatre will celebrate the 2011-2012 season with a special performance to be scheduled in October, featuring Broadway stars and student performers.

Tickets, which totally fund the productions, are now available. Each season ticketholders receives a ticket to each of the four performances for the price of three ($36). In addition, they can reserve their seats a week before the general public and can claim a ticket up until a half-hour before the performance.

For questions or to purchase a season ticket, call (908) 431-6600, ext. 2099.