Minnetonka High School Earns Starred Performance Rating at 2012 Class AA State One Act Play Festival

Minnetonka High School made its eighth appearance and earned its eighth Starred Performance rating, the highest honor, at the 2012 Class AA State One Act Play Festival on Friday, February 10. MHS theatre and English teacher John Lynn directed the all-student cast and crew as they presented a 35-minute cut of Equus by Peter Shaffer.

In the story, Alan Strang, a 17-year old boy who has blinded six horses, is treated by psychiatrist Martin Dysart. Over the course of treatment Dysart grows puzzled by the boy’s passion and has to face his own doubts about what it means to lead a “normal” life. The festival, sponsored by the Minnesota State High School League at the O’Shaughnessy Auditorium on the St. Catherine University Campus in St. Paul, celebrates the top acting and technical theatre students in Minnesota and does not involve direct competition.

Tickets are now on sale for their next production, the Minnesota premiere of Legally Blonde. This Tony nominee and 2011 Laurence Olivier Award winner for Best Musical is sure to be a fun, poppy follow up to MHS’ recent darker performances (Dracula – The Musical this past fall and last year’s Minnesota premiere of The Phantom of the Opera). It is based on the Hollywood film starring Reese Witherspoon that follows sorority girl Elle Woods as she transfers from UCLA to Harvard Law in a plan to win back her boyfriend.

“It is bright and bubbly but under the surface this show truly has is a lot of heart,” explains director Kent Knutson. “There is a great message that is so important for all of us, especially in high school, and that is to accept yourself and others. The character of Elle Woods proves how staying true to who you are can take you anywhere.”

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