With rehearsal in full swing, the Dos Pueblos High School Theatre Company is prepared to bring classic Broadway flair to the stage this spring with its production of the eight-time Tony Award-nominated “Curtains.”

Set in Boston in 1959, “Curtains” is a comedic murder mystery musical that begins when Jessica Cranshaw, the leading lady played by Nicolette Pfeifer (10), is murdered on opening night of the show.

“‘Curtains’ follows a company of people who are putting on a show called ‘Rob Hood.’ It is going to run in Boston, with the hopes that it will be picked up and taken to Broadway,” said Emily Libera, director of the DPHS Theatre Company. “We learn really quickly that their leading lady dies mysteriously, and that sets the whole plot of the show.”

From there, Libera said the mood is tense but humorous. Lieutenant Frank Cioffi, played by Andrew Cooper (11), arrives to investigate the incident and find the person responsible.

“Everyone’s a suspect,” Libera said. “We’re still trying to fix the show and get it on Broadway.”

For Nicola Bailey (12), who plays Carmen Bernstein, one of the producers of “Rob Hood,” the show’s twists and surprises are part of what makes it so exciting to perform.

“There are so many twists and plot hooks in ‘Curtains’ that you’d never see coming,” Bailey said. “And I think that’s going to be really, really fun to see the audience for the first time.”

Bailey added that the darkly humorous mood of the show contributes to how engaging it is for the audience.

“This show particularly stood out to me because it had that old Broadway feel that I just love so much that really captivates the audiences,” Libera said. “I also just picked a show I think that genuinely, the students at the school will enjoy being a part of.”

Last spring, even during the production of “Mamma Mia,” the directing team was already beginning to look into options for this year’s musical. After the directing team has selected a musical and bought the rights, they turn their attention to auditions.

“We’re looking for songs, sides, monologues, anything from the show that will help us make decisions in terms of casting,” Libera said.

Students preparing to audition are given the materials in advance so they can rehearse before the formal auditions. During auditions, they will sing a song, do a monologue, and then participate in the dance call.

“I like to look for potential,” said Jessica Ballonoff, DPHS Theatre Company’s resident choreographer. “Students who are willing to learn and have an innate way of performing, because that’s something you can’t really teach.”

The directing team agreed that auditions are less about raw talent and more about identifying students who can grow into their roles over time.

According to Bailey, students who perform well at auditions are chosen to attend callbacks, where they can show their version of the character. This contributes to the directing team’s choices for the final cast list, which comes out before winter break.

Following the audition process and the casting, rehearsals for “Curtains” began almost immediately.

“Students are learning music, choreography, blocking, starting right when we get back from winter break and all the way leading up to opening night,” Libera said.

Ballonoff said musicals involve a large amount of material, and the rehearsals have to move fast, which requires the actors to practice their parts on their own, especially for complicated choreography.

“I make sure that my steps are challenging, but ultimately, will make everybody look good,” Ballonoff said.

In addition to the singing, dancing, and acting, there are also other elements to the performance, including sets, lights, sound, costumes, and the orchestral accompaniment.

“We can know our choreography, and we can sing beautifully and have great acting choices, but without a beautiful set, incredible costumes, stunning lighting, and great sound, the performance will fall flat,” Libera said.

Behind the scenes, the crew, just like the cast, is also student-run, with the technical and scenic director Elena Ibbetson overseeing the visual and technical aspects of the show.

“I’m in charge of the overall picture for sets, lighting, and sound needs,” Ibbetson said.

For Ibbetson, designing the stage environment is about creating a space where the audience can fully immerse themselves in the story.

“I always like to think of scenic design as the playground of the production,” Ibbetson said.

Sets and props, Libera added, are important to elevate the performance as a whole.

“Think about an ice cream sundae,” Libera said. “That’s the cherry and sprinkles that you add on top.”

Both the actors and the directing team agreed that teamwork is essential to a successful musical, with Ibbetson saying that the students make the show live and breathe.

“Musicals are such an interesting format for stories to come alive, because you have so many aspects of it and so many people working together to make this story happen,” Bailey said.

Additionally, cast members encouraged people of all ages to attend.

“I think people should expect … to be surprised, to laugh, and to fall in love with musical theatre all over again, because that’s what this show is,” Libera said. “It’s a love letter to theatre.”

Tickets will be available starting April 1, 2026, on the DPHS Theatre Company website.