A DAY AT THE FAIR — Sacred Heart-Griffin High School seniors Jessica Ashcraft and Will Whalen portray farm couple Melissa and Abel Frake in the SHG musical production State Fair. The show will run in the evenings March 7-9 and March 14-15. A special children’s program called Meet Me at the Midway will take place at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 9.

Winter may still be under way, however the cast of Sacred Heart-Griffin High School's production of State Fair plans to help audience members believe it is summertime. SHG will present Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical this weekend and next at SHG Dominican Hall Auditorium, 1200 West Washington in Springfield.  

State Fair was originally written as a film and the 1933 version was nominated for an Academy Award. In 1996 it was adapted for a musical of the same name with additional songs. The show, which includes a large cast, is directed by Steve Kaplan and produced by Karen Danner.

Jo Anne Ashcraft, mother of Jessica Ashcraft who plays Melissa Frake, says she thinks the show will be well received.  "Melissa plays the mother of the farm family, so I was able to watch the show during a dress rehearsal. I really enjoyed it," she says. "It is a great production for all ages - there are so many funny parts."

Ashcraft says cast members are looking forward to all the performances, but always enjoy the children's program. "This year the children's program is called Meet Me at the Midway. The kids who come to the show can get up on the stage and learn a little dance or something. Afterwards they'll enjoy fair food - lemon shake-ups and mini corndogs - to go along with the theme of the show."  

Shows will run at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 7; Saturday, March 8; Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15. Additionally on Sunday, March 9 there will be a special children's program at 2 p.m. and a show at 5 p.m. Tickets for the evening shows are $10 for adults and $8 for seniors and children. For ticket information, call (217) 787-1595, ext. 153.