It happens every spring. Well, technically, every winter-into-spring. But those who know look forward to it. Some people wait all year. 

People like me. I wait all year. Because this is when local high schools schedule their yearly musicals. Usually I go to at least one as a member of the audience and one or two or three in my role as a newspaper reporter. 

My relationship with the theatre is life-long, going as far back as second grade when I wrote, directed and acted in a play for my class. To rave reviews, I’m sure. The positive response might have been because it meant we weren’t regrouping math subtractions or identifying irregular verbs. 

Still, I’ve long known there’s a benefit to introducing people of all ages to the worlds created on a stage. And that’s just one reason to support and encourage the exceptional offerings we have in the Logan County area. 

With the new Chronicle only just now getting started, we’re too late for most of this year’s high school performances. So, I thought I’d give a little overview of what our community has enjoyed so far … and the one that’s still to come. 

Like previous seasons, if someone wanted to attend every high school musical, they could have gone once a week for four weeks in a row thanks to the way local schools scheduled their shows. 

It all started with the ABBA-inspired Mamma Mia! at Bellefontaine High School the last weekend in February. Chronicle reporter Nikki Burkhamer—another lover of the theatrical arts who has participated in numerous Holland productions—is known around the county’s theatre world as a talented actor and makeup artist. In February, she once again shared her skills by helping the BHS show. 

Besides building confidence, Nikki credits involvement in theatre for creating comradery as people work together in what becomes a one-time family/team. 

“By the time opening night happens,” she said, “each actor or production member has put in countless hours to perfect a show to present to their community. After a student experiences the beauty of that rigorous process, they become hooked.” 

A week after Mamma Mia, Indian Lake High School stepped into a fairytale world with Once Upon a Mattress. This one was especially fun for me as “once upon a time” I played a Lady in Waiting in a community theatre production when I lived in Indiana. The quirky characters and fun music, in a story based on the “The Princess and the Pea,” brought back fond memories. 

Next up, Ridgemont High School took a whimsical spin when they presented Seussical the third weekend in March. The high-energy show centered around Dr. Seuss’s much-loved story Horton Hears a Who!, but brought in elements of other classic Seuss stories and characters, like the Cat in the Hat and Gertrude McFuzz. 

The month-long dive into high school musicals concluded March 19-21 with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella at West Liberty-Salem. Featuring songs like “A Lovely Night,” “Ten Minutes Ago” and “Impossible/It’s Possible.” The school credited the hard work, dedication and talent of their cast and crew with “bringing Cinderella to life in such a spectacular way.” 

Calvary Christian School has become more of a theatrical presence over the last few years. Most recently, they opted to showcase their high school students’ talents in November 2025 when they staged Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. This followed their successful production of Singin’ In the Rain a year ago. Their plan is to offer another musical to the community in the spring of 2027. 

Of course, if you’re from Logan County, you might notice a prominent local school missing from the list. That’s because Benjamin Logan High School is breaking with tradition by offering their 2026 performance later. In fact, you still have time to get your tickets to Shrek the Musical, which they’re presenting on Friday, April 17, and Saturday, April 18, at 7 p.m. as well as a matinee Saturday at 2 p.m. 

This show is of particular importance to me as I’m co-directing it alongside Benjamin Logan choir director Chelsey Webb. We’re excited about the talented—and hilarious—cast we’ve put together for this silly yet complicated Broadway show. 

Brice Henry, who’s been part of the Logan County theatre community for many years, has most recently served as director for the BHS productions. He knows how important high school theatre performances are. 

“It offers a place of belonging for people who might not otherwise ‘fit,’ and it allows for creativity to flourish in multiple areas,” Brice explained. “It’s so cool as it has something for everybody—whether it’s designing sets, creating lighting effects, organizing and directing the flow of the show, and even writing plays. 

“So many careers come from the theatre beyond performing, and having those spaces in schools and communities opens those doors.”