We’re not in Wareham anymore: Dinner theater returns to Upper Cape

Looking for some fine dining and a performance this holiday season, then head to Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical High School.

The school’s annual dinner theater performance is returning for the third straight year but this year has a twist, the play is a musical.

Three years ago upper cape drama advisor Bobby Genereau said he had a vision of Ebenezer Scrooge being led through tables of diners eating a four-course meal prepared by the school’s culinary department and from that idea, the holiday dinner was born.

“It was a huge success,” Genereau said. “Last year we did ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ and this year, the kids really wanted to do a musical.”

And because “The Wizard of Oz” first aired on television between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Genereau settled on the 1939 classic as the musical for this year’s performance.

The main challenge with a musical is the length and lack of a long intermission, according to Genereau. He said the nearly two-and-a-half hour performance will only have a short intermission for people to stretch their legs.

“I like to think of it as sitting around with family and friends during the holidays, eating a meal and clicking on the t.v. watching ‘The Wizard of Oz,’” he said.

New for this particular show is an added technological element. Using projectors, Genereau said animated backdrops will be used to help paint the scene for the audience.

“When you see the witch’s castle you’ll see flying monkeys going by the windows and then we have our carpentry department that builds some set pieces to give it that three-dimensional feel,” he said. “This is the first time we’ve used these backgrounds and I just think it’s going to be something really cool for our audiences.”

With opening night just under a month away, Geneareau added preparation for the show has been “going great.”

“I have some seasoned actors and some new actors and everybody’s doing great,” he said.

One of the newest actors is Wareham resident and upper cape junior Sariya Shepherd who is playing Dorothy, despite it being her first year in drama.

“I heard they were doing a musical and I’ve always liked to sing so that’s why I wanted to try out — and my friend Bria convinced me,” Shepherd said.

In order to prepare for her role, Shepherd said learning her lines and songs has been a challenge but one she is willing to accept.

“I learned my songs by listening to them while driving to school so that was a big help and I’ve been using online flashcards to learn my lines,” she said. “I think my lines are what I struggle most with but I’m getting better at it.”

And because Shepherd is also captain of the cheer team, Genereau said he has been working some acrobatics into her part.

“I think my favorite moment is when Cowardly Lion jumps into my arms,” Shepherd said. “It’s just a little twist that we added.”

Opening night will be Friday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. with performances also on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 2 and 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.

Tickets cost $75 per person and Genereau asks anyone who buys tickets but wants to sit with someone who bought tickets under a different name to email him at rgenereau@uppercapetech.org and specify who you’d like to sit with. He said they need to make a seating chart and want to ensure everyone can sit with who they’d like to.

To purchase tickets and view the menu, click the link here.

The 2 p.m. show on Saturday will not include a meal and price per ticket will be $20 for adults and $10 for upper cape students.