Make learning fun with a trip to “Schoolhouse Rock Live!,” Oct. 2-4 at Niggli Theatre on the campus of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. From left, WCU students Abby Gonzales, Jessica Humphrey, Terry Evans, Gregory Kennedy, Patrick Detloff, and Emily Warren rehearse for the musical theater production.

Children can learn and have fun while their parents reminisce during a production of “Schoolhouse Rock Live!” from the musical theater program at Western Carolina University.

“Schoolhouse Rock Live!” will show at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, through Saturday, Oct. 4, at Niggli Theatre on the WCU campus.
The “Schoolhouse Rock” series aired Saturday mornings from 1973 to 1985 on ABC-TV, teaching children history, math, science, grammar and politics through animation and clever songwriting.

The stage version’s loose narrative revolves around a teacher learning how to win over students through memorable “Schoolhouse” tunes, including “Verb: That’s What’s Happening,” “A Noun Is a Person, Place or Thing,” “Just a Bill” and “Conjunction Junction.”
“Schoolhouse Rock Live!” features an ensemble cast of musical theater majors: Patrick Detloff, junior; Terry Evans, sophomore; Abby Gonzales, sophomore; Jessica Humphrey, freshman; Gregory Kennedy, junior; and Emily Warren, sophomore. Jennifer Lent, dance program director and assistant professor in the department of stage and screen, will direct.

Next up in the musical theater program’s 2008-09 season is “Of Thee I Sing,” the Gershwin classic about a madcap election, Nov. 3 and 4.

Tickets cost $10 for the general public and $5 for children and WCU students, faculty and staff. Tickets are available at the show or in advance at the Fine and Performing Art Center’s box office, (828) 227-2479.

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Last modified Friday, Sept. 26, 2008.