The third annual retelling of A Christmas Carol adapted by J. Jason Daunter and performed by Benton's Advanced Drama Students.
The Greek Mythology Olympiaganza - Fall 2023
Two battling narrators attempt to cover the entirety of Greek mythology using audience participation, cross-dressing, and general theatrical insanity. Creation myths such as Pandora's Box and Cronos and the Titans jostle for space with other famous myths like Jason and the Argonauts (the original Super Friends). Culminating in a heart-pounding, five-minute, two-actor version of The Iliad, this fast-paced, free-wheeling play is wild, silly, and a complete blast for all ages.
Newsies Jr. - Spring 2023
When powerful newspaper publishers raise prices at the newsboys' expense, the charismatic Jack Kelly rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions. Together, the newsies learn that they are stronger united and create a movement to fight for what's right.
A Christmas Carol - December 2022
Please enjoy the second annual performance of A Christmas Carol by the Benton Middle School Advanced Drama class!
Comic Book Artist - Fall Play 2022
Stella Leonardo Sappovitz wants nothing more than to become a comic book artist. When she gets a job as a janitor at Wonder Comics, she anxiously awaits the day that her boss, D.C. Wunderman, will notice her drawings and discover her artistic genius. It seems like that day will never come until Wunderman invests in a shipment of magical pens, guaranteed to bring to life any character his artists create. When the staff artists unwittingly unleash the dreaded Doctor Shock Clock, it is up to Stella to create her own team of superheroes. Will they have the superpowers to conquer this dastardly super-villain, who can stop time with the snap of his fingers? Only time will tell!
Annie Jr. - Spring Musical 2022
With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone's hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. Annie is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. Annie eventually foils Miss Hannigan's evil machinations, finding a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy.
A Christmas Carol - December 2021
While Mrs. Nitschke was out on maternity leave, Mr. J. Jason Daunter took over for Benton Theatre during which he wrote and produced a readers theatre adaptation of A Christmas Carol with the Advanced Drama students. Performances were held during the school day for other students to come and see. For many students this was only their first or second time performing for a live audience and they did a fantastic job! Thank you Mr. Daunter!
Frozen Jr. - September 2021
Frozen Jr. is a 60 minute version of the full length Broadway show featuring many songs from the original film and more! Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, Frozen Jr. in 2020 was postponed. After a year and a half, we are allowed to have students rehearse and perform in person again as long as they are masked. Because of this, we held virtual auditions during the summer and in person rehearsals once school started. While we were not able to have a live audience, the performances were recorded and edited together. Please visit bentonms.booktix.com for options to see the production! Click here to see the virtual program
Goldilocks on Trial - Fall Play 2019
Goldilocks is on trial for breaking and entering. Will she be found guilty and sent to prison, or will the truth come out? It's up to Judge Wallabee and some very silly jurors to decide, after hearing testimony from Goldee, the bickering Three Bears, and surprise witness Merwin the Big Bad Wolf, among others...
Ax of Murder - Spring Play 2019
Everyone’s heard of a haunted house. Probably even a haunted theater. But a haunted play? Could it be haunted by the spirit of a man who recently died at the theatre? No... it’s not possible! At least, that’s what theater director Bonnie Bagwell tries to convince the other members of the troupe as writer Colin Chambers hints at the trail of horror that has cursed his script, Ax of Murder. Unfortunately, curiosity gets the best of the actors and, despite Colin’s adamant warnings, they open the script and start reading the play. It soon becomes apparent the play is mirroring their theater and even the specific actors. ’The play changes with each performance,’ Colin intones, though he’s not taken seriously. But when a police sergeant shows up on cue stating he was called in on a murder, people begin to wonder. Wonder turns to fear when someone IS murdered onstage! And it seems as if no one could have done it. No body, that is, but perhaps a ghost. Your audiences won’t know who or what to believe. Characters show up in all areas of the theater, running down aisles and then disappearing. Murder weapons disappear and then show up in the worst of places. Beware the twists and turns of this play. You never know what will happen next when you see Ax Of Murder.