The Ridge Drama Club will present the classic comedy "My Sister Eileen" at 7 p.m. this Friday and Saturday at the Ridge High School Performing Arts Center.  Tickets are available now at www.ridgepac.com and will be available each night at the door.

Director Megan Kern said 36 student cast members and about 20 crew members, including lighting, are involved in the production. The set for the one-room basement studio in Greenwich Village circa about 1940 was constructed by crew under the direction of ceramics teacher Jason Stewart, who added that special needs students assisted.

"I chose the play because it has strong female leads, it's very funny, and it's based on real life," Kern said. She recalled that she played the title role while in high school. "It was one of the most fun and exciting shows I've ever been a part of as an actress. It also allows me to highlight the talents of many students from Ridge," she said.

Each year, the Ridge Drama Club presents a non-musical in the fall and a musical early in the spring. Last year's musical was the student version of "Rent."

The leads are played by senior Sara Evangelista as Ruth Sherwood, and sophomore Corey Pankow as her sister, Eileen.

The sisters, Ruth and Eileen end up renting an overpriced basement apartment when they move from Ohio to New York City in hopes of "making it." Ruth aspires to be a writer and Eileen wants a career on the stage.

Ticket prices are $8 for students and seniors, and $8 for adults.

An open dress rehearsal performance is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, and is open to senior citizens for free.

Kern noted that Stewart's set for last year's production of "Rent — school production" received an honorable mention from Papermill Playhouse's "Rising Stars" program.
 
The play ended up being produced as the musical, "Wonderful Town," and had two revivals on Broadway.

"We're going for the 'funny' in every scene," Kern said. The set includes sight gags and staging has the goal of flowing from one ridiculous and hysterical moment to the next, she said.

Many of the costumes are on loan from the Basking-Ridge based Trilogy Repertory Company, and lights and sound are designed by David Kern, the Ridge PAC manager.

Student assistant directors include seniors Stephen Ballestaros and Lauren Pizzi. The stage manager is sophomore Alex Ursino. The sound board will be run by junior Chris Szeluga and the light board is being run by sophomore Andy Barrasso. 

The crew managed by Stewart worked tirelessly building and painting, and the special needs department was also able to get involved, Kern said. Students and aides assisted in painting set pieces.

"I'm really proud of the many students who are coming together to make this show a success," Kern said. "Last year we were very successful with both the fall play and winter musical, and I hope to continue that tradition by bringing quality theatre to the Basking Ridge community."

She said the school recently was given a charter into the International Thespian Society which is part of the Educational Theatre Association.