School News

Last Updated on Wednesday, 28 February 2024 19:34

Thomas Jefferson High School’s Gene Kelly Award-winning musical theater students are presenting, "Beauty and the Beast," for their annual spring musical, with opening night set for Thursday, March 14. Performances are at 7:00 pm on March 14, 15 and 16, with shows at 12 noon and 6:00 pm on Sunday, March 17 in the TJ Theater.

"Beauty and the Beast" cast members visit Gill Hall Elementary School on February 15.

“Beauty and the Beast” is directed by Jim Benedek, who teaches Technology Education at TJHS. Julie Tipton, a TJ English and theater teacher, is the assistant director. Auditions for the spring musical were held in December and rehearsals began in January.

Tickets can be purchased online at https://tjhs.ludus.com/index.php. Online advance tickets are $15; anyone age two or older will need a ticket. Anyone interested in attending “Beauty and the Beast” is encouraged to buy their tickets in advance; previous TJ spring musical shows have sold out and sales weren’t available at the door. Free parking is available in front and behind the school.

Thomas Jefferson High School’s “Anything Goes: 2022 Revision” won three awards at last spring’s Pittsburgh CLO Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater. Jaguar student Ashley Caldwell was named Best Supporting Actress. For the second consecutive year, TJ’s musical theater students captured Best Vocal Ensemble and Best Crew/Technical Execution in its budget level. Thomas Jefferson’s Anything Goes was nominated in all eight Gene Kelly Awards ensemble categories, including being one of the two Best Musical nominees in Budget Level IV.

In conjunction with the spring musical, the TJHS Marching Band is sponsoring its annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser and TJ musical theater celebration on Saturday, March 16 from 3-7 pm. The dinner will be held in the TJ cafeteria and there is a 7 p.m. performance of "Beauty and the Beast" that evening. To purchase Spaghetti Dinner tickets, please email: tjbandrocks@gmail.com or visit the Band’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TJbandevents . Spaghetti dinner tickets are $15; children five and under are free.