"School House Rock Live" during a performance at AC Valley schools.

     “Schoolhouse Rock Live,” based on the Emmy Award winning 1970s Saturday morning cartoon series, comes to life as the second production of the Clarion University Summer Musical Theatre Festival 2009. Performances are scheduled July 2-4 at 8 p.m. in Clarion University Little Theatre, Marwick-Boyd Fine Arts Building.
    Tickets for the production are $12 for adults, $9 for children, and $6 for Clarion University students with valid identification cards. Tickets may be reserved by calling (814) 393-ARTS or on-line at http://www.clarion.edu/28193/.
    Additional performances are July 9-11 and 16-18 at the Sawmill Theatre Cook Forest. Contact the Sawmill Theatre at (814) 927-5275 for ticket information and times.
    “This is a fun show for all ages,” said director Julie Findlan-Powell, instructor of theatre. “We wanted to do a kid friendly summer festival and this one meets that requirement. I’ve wanted to direct this one for a while and now I have the chance.”
    “Schoolhouse Rock Live,” book by Scott Ferguson and Kyle Hall and George Keating;
music by Lynn Ahrens and Bob Dorough and Dave Frishberg and Kathy Mandry and George Newall and Tom Yohe; and lyrics by  Lynn Ahrens and Bob Dorough and Dave Frishberg and Kathy Mandry and George Newall and Tom Yohe.
    It has minimal script and builds it performance around the music. In the 1970s the television show won and Emmy for its unique way of teaching history, grammar, math, science and politics through clever, tuneful examples.
    The story follows a teacher, who is nervous about his first day in the classroom. He tries to relax by watching TV when various characters representing facets of his personality emerge to show him how to help his students through imagination and music.
    The 21 songs in the play include “Conjunction Junction,” “Elbow Room,” “Interjections,” and “Three is the Magic Number.” The styles range from 50s swing to rock and roll, bluegrass, and country.
    “We did a teaser show in four elementary schools, using only four songs,” said Findlan-Powell. “The songs have a great beat for the kids and the parents find it nostalgic.”
    Finlan-Powell also promises audience involvements. “There will be sing-alongs, hand movements, sign holding and other activities,” she said. “The set is bright and colorful, all done with boxes. Each song takes the audience to a different place with the use of props and costumes helping the character switches.”
    The cast includes:
    Ryan Jackson as Tom, the teacher. Jackson, a senior theatre major, is a son if Lisa Jackson of Butler and is a graduate of Moon High School.
    Ron Johnson as George. Johnson, a senior theatre major, is a son of Judith Miller of McKees Rocks and is a graduate of Sto-Rox High School.
    Joe Pettine as Joe. Pettine, a junior secondary education/English major, is a son of Elizabeth McNamara of Pittsburgh and is a graduate of Abington High School.
    Victor Aponte as Brian. Aponte, a junior theatre major, is a son of Luz Aponte of Erie and is a graduate of McDowell High School.
    Lynnea Fiorentino as Shulie. Fiorentino, a senior music education major, is a daughter of Dan Fiorentino of North Apollo and is a graduate of Apollo-Ridge High School.
    Lauren Sarazen as Dorie. Sarazen, a senior secondary education/English major, is a daughter of Noreen Sarazen of Pittsburgh and is a graduate of North Hills High School.
    Whitney Hayes as Dina. Hayes, a junior elementary education major, is a daughter of Jeff Hayes of Bethel Park and is a graduate of Bethel Park High School.
    Shernee Bellamy as Nina. Bellamy, a senior theatre major, is a daughter of Jessica Bellamy of Erie and is a graduate of Central High School.
    Handing the technical side of the production are:
    Elizabeth McNamara, who received her degree in theatre in May from Clarion University, is the costume designer. She is a daughter of James McNamara of Pittsburgh and is a graduate of Carlynton High School.
    William Nelson and Bryan Teeters are the musical directors.
    Nelson, a senior music education major, is a son of Ric and Pat Nelson of Rural Valley and is a graduate of West Shamokin High School.
    Teeters, a senior music education major, is from Knox and is a graduate of Keystone High School.
    Samuel G. Levy is the production stage manager. Levy, a junior theatre major, is a son of Bob Levy of Shippenville and is a graduate of Clarion High School.
    Marc Ellis Holland, a Broadway dancer and an instructor of theatre at Clarion University, is designing the choreography and musical staging.
    Ben Geibel is the set designer. Geibel, a senior theatre major, is a son of Deborah Weber of Jackson Center and is a graduate of Lakeview High School.
    Amy Sabousky, secretary for the theatre department, is handling properties.
    Upcoming this summer is “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” July 23-25 at Clarion University Little Theatre; and July 30-Aug. 1 and Aug. 5-8 at Sawmill Theatre, Cook Forest.
    Clarion University is the high-achieving, nationally recognized, comprehensive university that delivers a personal and challenging academic experience.