RITZ STAGE STARZ

Ritz Productions by Kids, for Kids!

Ritz Stage Starz is the highly acclaimed Youth Theatre Initiative of The Ritz Theatre Company, with programming offered all year round! Our 2023-2024 season concludes in August with our annual Summer Camp! Our new season will be announced in late July/early August!

BYE BYE BIRDIE: YOUTH EDITION

August 9-10, 2024

Grades 2-8

Directed by William Reid

Music Direction by Chuck Hartung

Choreography by Lisa Krier

A loving musical send-up of the early 1960s, small-town America, teenagers, and rock & roll, BYE BYE BIRDIE: YOUTH EDITION remains as fresh and vibrant as ever. Teen heartthrob Conrad Birdie has been drafted, so he chooses all-American girl Kim McAfee for a very public farewell kiss. Featuring a tuneful high-energy score, plenty of great parts for kids, and a hilarious script, BYE BYE BIRDIE: YOUTH EDITION remains one of the most popular shows in schools across the country. Hit songs include “Put on a Happy Face,” “One Last Kiss,” “One Boy,” “A Lot of Livin’ to Do,” “Kids!,” and “Rosie.”

MEAN GIRLS: HIGH SCHOOL VERSION

August 16-17, 2024

Grades 9-12

Directed by Robert Repici

Music Direction by Chuck Hartung

Choreography by Lindsey Krier

Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the wild and vicious ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. How will this naïve newbie rise to the top of the popularity pecking order? By taking on The Plastics, a trio of lionized frenemies led by the charming but ruthless Regina George. But when Cady and her friends devise a “Revenge Party” to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a Queen Bee without getting stung. Adapted from Tina Fey’s hit 2004 film, MEAN GIRLS was nominated for a staggering 12 Tony Awards. This queen-bee took Broadway by storm and has joined the musical in-crowd. And now, so can you with this high school version!