CRANBERRY TWP — The Seneca Valley Thespians spring play will give audiences a look at the hilarity and chaos that happens backstage with its performance of “Noises On!”

The play will run at 7:30 p.m. April 20, 21 and 22 at the Seneca Valley Intermediate High School auditorium.

Tickets to the show can be purchased at the door at $5 for students and $7 for adults.

The show is a spoof of the popular British comedy “Noises Off” which follows a group of actors putting on a murder mystery where everything goes wrong, said Amber Hugus, play director and Seneca Valley Thespians sponsor.

The first act takes place at rehearsal where costumes aren't finished, props are missing and actors are unprepared. The script isn't great either, Hugus said.

“Act two is where the fun begins,” she said. “We turn the set around so the audience watches opening night from backstage. And once again, everything goes wrong. It's very, very funny.”

Watching a play from behind the scenes makes you appreciate the performance, Hugus said. “Until you're involved in a production, it's hard to imagine what goes on in the wings.”

Ava Minutello, a Seneca Valley senior, said “Noises On!” is unlike any play the thespians have done before. She plays the director of the play who has a hard time wrangling her unruly cast. There are 15 students in the cast and about five in the stage crew in the show.

“It has a big set, a big stage crew,” Minutello said. “It's a very uproarious comedy with lots of gags and bits.”

Hugus said she they've been staging murder mysteries for the past few years, which lends nicely to her students' comedic chops.

The Seneca Valley Thespians Club is part of the International Honors Society, open to students in grades 10 to 12 who have performed in at least one main school production.

Students must earn 15 points to enter by participating in theatrical events. Hugus said the club members spend their time bettering themselves in theater, helping out with other productions, attending workshops and getting involved as much as they can.

Senior Mike Trauman is the lead character Jake, who portrays the butler in the play performed within the play.

Trauman said he's more comfortable performing dramatic productions, but doing comedy has forced him to grow and adapt as a performer. It helps to be around a skilled cast.

“This has potential to be one of the best thespian plays Seneca Valley has had,” he said. “The talent is phenomenal.”

Cast

Lila (director), Ava Minutello; Sammy (stage manager), Sam Magill; Mike (props guy), Jake Hecht; Obo (playwright), Annie Batista; and Estrella (costumes), Maddie Hardcastle.

Actors: Jake (the butler), Mike Trauman; Marvin, Tyler Mortier; Brenda, Shirlann Harmon; Tristan, Jake Holl; Taylor, Taylor Tomczak;

Arnold, Tommy Zugell; Steve, Tommy Conroy; Kaylie, Maggie Holl; Masha, Dorothy Flemming; and Eleanor, Katie Lawson.

Stage Crew

Kim McGinnis, Katherine Schrett, Ryan Lipscomb and Sydney Scheg.

Lights and sound: Megan Mitchell.

Costumes: Nora Gavaghan and Madison Sloan.