Maine South presents "Sideways Stories From Wayside School"

Maine South Fine Arts Department presents “Sideways Stories From Wayside School,” a fun-filled theatrical experience for all ages.  If you know children, then they know the popular books by Louis Sachar on which the play is based.  And there are ample opportunities to treat them—and yourself—to a performance: February 17, 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. as well as a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, February 19.  Tickets are $6 for general admission and are available in the lobby box office the night of each performance.

There are important—and hilarious—life lessons to be learned in this Wayside world.  The play brings to life an elementary school 30 stories high where the craziest things can and do happen.  Wicked teachers turn students into apples, PA systems have lips, and cows wander the hallways.  Missing floors and mythical teachers turn out to be real and interestingly intertwined.  The students deal with a variety of traumas including:  not being able to count correctly; talking pigtails; and evil substitutes.

“Sideways Stories From Wayside School,” was adapted for the stage by John Olive and is directed by Maine South Fine Arts Teacher, Lauri McCleneghan with assistance from Matt Bonadona, student director.

The cast consists of Katie Patterson, Becca Hess, Anna Marie Abbate, Ryan Mays, Edgar Cancinos, Jonathan Morales, Alex Steele, Sarah Thomas, Kathleen McCarrick, Lily Elderkin, Giuliana Bartucci, Kristina Keller, Jeff Czerwionka, Kyle Owens, Tessie Tazzioli, Mary Sobieski, Amber Saul and Maria Strategakis.  This technically complicated show has a large and creative back stage crew, headed by Technical Director, Patrick Sanchez and stage manager, Noel Konken.  The costume crew is working under the direction of Ms. Nicki James.

This year, the winter play brings even more excitement to the school and community.  In collaboration with administrators and teachers, all Park Ridge-Niles District 64 third grade students were able to read “Sideways Stories From Wayside School.”  Many teachers expanded on the book by using a resource packet created by Maine South Fine Arts staff full of activities from word searches to readers theatre.

In an effort headed by Sue Douglass  (Carpenter School), Sara Born ( Washington School,  and Lauri McCleneghan (Maine South) a grant from the Elementary Learning Foundation was awarded to help support this  collaborative educational experience.

Friday, February 18th is the day that District 64 third graders will be GOING SIDEWAYS AT SOUTH.  The Maine South Fine Arts Department is hosting a Fine Arts Day.  Through participating in this event, 3rd grade students will learn to express creativity and utilize critical thinking skills across disciplines, engage in various arts activities, appreciate and support the arts  and view a live performance of “Sideways Stories From Wayside School.”  Students will participate in a full choir experience to learn a song in conjunction with the production.  In  visual arts , students will create their own story book and in broadcasting, they will create and film “Sideways” news stories and see themselves report on television.  In drama, students will become actors themselves by participating in improvisational games and completing a back stage tour.   

Each student was encouraged to participate in a poster contest.  The 500-plus posters have been hung throughout South hallways, and the remaining entries will be displayed in the theatre lobby.  The winning poster, created by Veronica Espinoza from Field School, will be produced and displayed around Park Ridge.

 All performances will be presented in Maine South’s auditorium, at 1111 South Dee Road in Park Ridge.