The season will start with the Student Directed One Act Plays. Seven MHS seniors will debut their own short plays. It is always an interesting and compelling night of theatre, as these young theatre artists put their own stamp on a variety of different plays. The plays will be performed on Monday, September 10 and Tuesday, September 11, at 7:30 p.m. in the Mundelein High School Auditorium.

The New Faces production will be Diamondbacks and Diamonds in the Sky, by Jill Pertler. New Faces features freshmen and sophomores, as well as juniors and seniors who have not had the opportunity to be in a show at MHS. During the course of the play, the Carter family finds out what happens when you combine a wedding with the end of the world. What starts as a simple tale of a wedding grows into a story about the complexity of love, with a dash of humor thrown in on the side. Directed by Jeff Harding, the play runs October 24 at 3:45 and October 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m.

The MHS fall production is The Diviners, by Jim Leonard, Jr. This theatrical play is the story of a disturbed young man and his friendship with a disenchanted preacher in southern Indiana in the early 1930’s. Co-directed by Jonathan Meier and Dominick Basso, the play will be performed on November 15 at 7:30 p.m., November 16 at 3:45 and 7:30 p.m. and November 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Once again, Mundelein Theatre students will be competing in the Chicago Shakespeare Slam. The team will develop and perform two five-minute pieces to compete against schools from throughout the Chicago area. Last year the team was the Slam Champs, and they are anxious to defend their crown in their regional bout on December 3 at Juarez Community Academy in Chicago. There will be a public performance of their slam pieces on November 2 at 6 p.m. Mark Landuyt and Jonathan Meier coach the team.

The winter play is John Lennon and Me, by Cherie Bennett. A sweet and funny story about life, death, power and first boyfriends, the play follows Hollywood-wannabe Star, the ultimate Beatles fan, who has her path stymied by cystic fibrosis. This is a powerful tale about living life to the fullest. Directed by Jonathan Meier, the play will be performed on January 31at 3:45 and 7:30 p.m., and February1 and 2 and 7:30 p.m.

Mundelein Theatre will also once again be competing in the IHSA Group Interpretation competition. Last year the team placed second in their sectional, advancing to the state finals for the second straight year. This year they will be performing I Kill Giants, by Joe Kelly. Mark Landuyt will be adapting this graphic novel (which was also made into a major motion picture) and directing this story of a young girl battling monsters both real and imagined, kicking butt, taking names as she faces her greatest fear in this bittersweet, coming-of-age story.

There will be public performances on March 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m. The team will compete in their sectional competition of March 16.

Closing out the season will be the spring musical, Sister Act, by Bill and Cherie Steinkellner. Based on the feel-good hit film, this musical comedy is about a woman hiding in a convent who helps her fellow sisters  find their voices as she discovers her own.  This uplifting show was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

Directed by Jonathan Meier, it will run April 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m. and April 27 at 2 and 7:30 p.m.

All performances will take place in the MHS Auditorium. For more information, visit www.mundeleintheatre.org.