Back, from left, Sarah Bishop, Jon McCreary, Jesse McKinnis, Derek Kaufman and Logan Olszewski and front, from left, Liz Brady, Brian Tanner and Nick Furar appear the Butler High School production of “South Pacific.” The students will perform the musical at 7:30 p.m. March 18 and 19 at the high school.

BUTLER TWP — Butler High School will stage the musical “South Pacific” at 7:30 p.m. March 18 and 19 at the school on Campus Lane.

Presale tickets are available for $10 at May’s Music Shoppe. Tickets also will be sold at the door for $12.

For additional information, contact Dale VanLaningham at 724-214-3200, Ext. 5302 or dale.vanlaningham@butlerk12.com

With music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, the story is loosely based on James Michener’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 1947 book “Tales of the South Pacific.”

The musical, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1950, addressed the issue of racial prejudice at a time when few musicals engaged in serious social commentary.

Butler High’s performance of “South Pacific” in 1961 was the first at its current location, and this year’s performance marks 50 years of “musicals on the hill,” said VanLaningham, who is directing the musical.

Other staff members include Stephanie Marshall as choreographer, Catie Brown as vocal director and Jeff Kroner as orchestra conductor. Costumes were done by Carol Albright, Deb Moran and Audrey Eberle, with props by Jennifer Mariacher. David Smith is technical director, with Robert Harrison as technical adviser and Shannon Green as student stage manager.

Also participating are:

CastEnsign Nellie Forbush, Logan Olszewski; Emile de Becque, Derek Kaufman; Lt. Joseph Cable, Brian Tanner; Bloody Mary, Sarah Bishop; Luther Billis, Nick Furar; Stewpot, Matt Cole; Professor, Jakob Como; Capt. George Bracket, Jon McCreary; Cmdr. William Harbison, Jesse McKinnis; Liat, Liz Brady; Ngana, Skylar Ruth; Jerome, William Terwilliger; Henry, Stephen Wuchina; Lt. Buzz Adams, Jacob Alston; Yeoman Quale, Theodore Peterson; Ensign Dinah Murphy, Gretchen Geibel; Ensign Janet MacGregor, Anja Semanco; Radio Operator McCaffrey, Andrew Stock; O’Brien, Miko Alcantara

EnsembleAmy Achenbach, Allison Bonetti, Gabriella Bottles, Trisha Brandt, Grant Clark, Maddy Como, Svanah Craig, Hannah Eberle, Ivy Fallecker, Elaina Fenstermacher, Jack Fleming, Megan Geibel, Sarah Getsay, Olivia Girdano, Stephanie Girdano, Sarah Herold, Allison Huff, Bonnie Klopfer, Haley McCreary, Stephanie Miller, Maria Noel, Olivia Pascazi, Eric Prokopchak, Carly Ratica, Haley Ratica, Miranda Santoro, Robin Schmeider, Adam Stock, Amanda Sybert, Olivia Terwilliger, Daniel Terwilliger, Natalie VanLaningham, Stephen VanLaningham, Jessica White, Gretchen Wilson, Taryn Zeigler

DancersLydia Anthony, Amelia Bishop, Emily Donato, Abby Fugh, Mackenzie Mulneix, Olivia Reddick, Chalice Streitman, Emily Grecco

OrchestraPiccolo/Flute, Kaelee Franko; Clarinet, Chloe Drennen, Rochelle Snyder; Trumpet, Taylor Amerson, Ian Compton, Sam Junker; French Horn, Ben Frances, Zachary Woessner; Trombone, Khalil Hill, Rennae Wigton; Tuba, Trevor Emerick; Violin, Kiana Green, Jazlyn Gruver, Lauren Kiggins, Dana McCurdy, Samantha Schnur; Viola, Tyler Goehring, Sabrina Leksell; Cello, Dylan Gourley; String Bass, Taylor McKissick; Piano, Katie Amerson; Keyboard, Rachael Wigton; Percussion, Brad Bailey