Julian Middle School

CAST at Julian Middle School December Shows

The CAST performing arts program at Julian Middle School will present three powerful and compelling plays during its festival of theater December 10-13.

The plays are Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” presented December 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m.; “Brontes: Eccentric Lives,” presented December 12 at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and “Number the Stars,” presented December 13 at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

CAST is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. All three shows continue with this season’s theme of “Sisters.”

Tickets may be purchased in advance through the CAST website, www.op97.org/CAST, or at the door. For more information, please contact Kathy Simon at 708-524-7848 or at ksimon@op97.org.

“As You Like It” follows the heroine Rosalind, accompanied by her cousin Celia, as she flees persecution in her uncle’s court. Disguised as brother and sister, they cross paths with many memorable characters whom they never could have met at home.

“Brontes: Eccentric Lives” portrays the extraordinary lives of accomplished authors Charlotte, Emily and Anne Bronte. The audience will journey to the mysterious world of Haworth parsonage on the Yorkshire moors, where the young women’s family life with a tyrannical father and morally impaired brother inspire the fictional characters they create. Actual letters, poetry and selections from their printed works are used to show that the women’s own story is much stranger than anything they would write.

“Number the Stars” takes place during the German occupation of Denmark during World War II. Annemarie Johansen and her sister Kirstin endure soldiers, interrogations, menacing dogs, personal dangers and loss as they try to help their friend Ellen Rosen escape to safety. The drama, pathos, adventure, terror and humor that made “Number the Stars” a best seller and Newberry Award winner come to life in this compelling adaptation.

Julian Middle School is located at 416 S. Ridgeland Ave. in Oak Park.

CAST on Tour: October 16 and October 21

The CAST performing arts program at Julian Middle School opens its 30th season when CAST on Tour performs “Matahei the Stutterer.” Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16, at Beye Elementary School, 230 N. Cuyler Ave., and at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Irving Elementary School, 1125 S. Cuyler Ave.

This magical Japanese folk tale was first adopted for the Kabuki theater in 1719. Children will enjoy the visual nature of the show, which runs about 30 minutes.

Tickets may be purchased in advance through the CAST website, www.op97.org/CAST, or at the door. For more information, please contact Kathy Simon at 708-524-7848 or ksimon@op97.org.

CAST to perform at Winberie’s

CAST, the performing arts program at Julian Middle School, and the force behind CAST Jr., will have a special evening celebration at its annual fund-raiser, “Hey, Ya Gotta Eat,” from 5-9 p.m. on Thursday, May 21 at Winberie’s Restaurant and Bar, 151 N. Oak Park Ave. Vocal dynamo and CAST Jr. leader, Keya Shearrill, will perform from 5:30-6:30 p.m. A special parting gift will be provided to 8^th-grade students who have participated in CAST. Come for a snack, dinner or dessert. The evening’s price increase will be donated to CAST. For more information, contact Kathy Simon at ksimon@op97.org or 708-524-7848.

Upcoming CAST Show – Diary of Anne Frank

The CAST performing arts program at Julian Middle School will present “The Diary of Anne Frank” at 7:30 p.m. on April 24 and 25.

The play is a fitting finale for this year’s CAST season theme – we are more alike than we are unalike. “The Diary of Anne Frank” is based on the writings from the Dutch language diary kept by young Anne Frank while she was in hiding for two years with her family during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.

Tickets are available in advance through the CAST website at www.op97.org/CAST or may be purchased at the door. Please contact Kathy Simon at 708-524-7848 or ksimon@op97.org for more information. The play will be performed in the auditorium at Julian, located at 416 S. Ridgeland Ave. in Oak Park.

Julian CAST Upcoming March Performances

The CAST performing arts program at Julian Middle School will celebrate Women’s History Month on March 20-22 with performances of two distinct plays from different eras.

“Lodestar,” an original work by CAST program director Bill McGlynn, tells the story of a group of women hired by Edward Pickering at Harvard as skilled workers to process astronomical data. Join CAST in celebrating these remarkable women and the supportive atmosphere that allowed them to develop the Harvard Classification Scheme of stars – and to make history. “Lodestar” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on March 20 and at 3:30 p.m. on March 21.

“The Secret Life of Girls” highlights the impact of “cyberbullying,” the facilitation of mean-spirited behaviors through the use of cell phones, texts, and the like. When faced with the consequences of their actions, the girls ultimately resolve – one by one – to change their behaviors. Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. on March 21 and at 3:30 p.m. on March 22.

Tickets are available in advance through the CAST website at www.op97.org/CAST or may be purchased at the door. Please contact Kathy Simon at 708 524 7848or ksimon@op97.org for more information.