The Great List

1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s2000s2010s2020s

1989-1990

The 1989-1990 academic year is significant to the Woodstown Theatre Department because it marks the beginning of the 26-year tenure of Director Paul J. Kranz, an English and Communications instructor who standardized the production of a Spring musical every year. Mr. Kranz, apart from directing, oversaw the implementation of the student-directed Fall Play, which provided students who typically wouldn’t participate in a musical an opportunity to perform onstage. Mr. Kranz also oversaw the inclusion of the live orchestra and the purchase and installation of a new audio system for the auditorium, as well as the practice of double-casting roles so more students would have opportunities to play featured, supporting, and leading roles. Mr. Kranz’s contributions to the Woodstown High School Drama Club were tremendous and critical to the lasting success of the Theatre Department today.

Spring Musical
How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Book by Shepherd Mead
Music and lyrics by Frank Loesser

1990-1991

Spring Musical
OKLAHOMA!
Music by Richard Rogers
Libretto by Oscar Hammerstein II

1991-1992

Spring Musical
Hello, Dolly!
Book by Michael Stewart
Music by Jerry Herman

1992-1993

Spring Musical
Meet Me in St. Louis
Book by Hugh Wheeler
Music and lyrics by Hugh Martin & Ralph Blane

1993-1994

Spring Musical
Brigadoon
Book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner
Music by Fredrick Lowe

1994-1995

The 1994-1995 academic year was significant for the Woodstown Theatre Department as it marked the inauguration of live orchestras by music director David Taylor. Live orchestras had not accompanied theatre programs at Woodstown since the late 1920s. Today, the live orchestras include both professional musicians and Woodstown student musicians.

Additionally, during this academic year, the Drama Club purchased and oversaw the installation of a new audio system for the high school auditorium.

Finally, this year was transformative for Drama students, as Mrs. Kranz and the Theatre Department adopted the practice of double-casting roles so more students would have opportunities to play featured, supporting, and leading roles. The first double-casted role was Eliza Doolittle in “My Fair Lady.”

Spring Musical
My Fair Lady
Book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner
Music by Fredrick Lowe

1995-1996

The 1995-1996 academic year was significant for the Woodstown Theatre Department as it marked the beginning of the tenure of Mr. Khalil V. Gunther as the director of music at Woodstown High and the music director of the Drama Club.

Spring Musical
Big River
Book by William Hauptman
Music and lyrics by Roger Miller

1996-1997

Spring Musical
South Pacific
Music by Richard Rogers
Libretto by Oscar Hammerstein II

1997-1998

Spring Musical
West Side Story
Book by Arthur Laurents
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

1998-1999

Spring Musical
Bye Bye Birdie
Music by Charles Strouse
Lyrics by Lee Adams
Book by Michael Stewart