SLIDESHOW: Sideways Comedy Earns Framingham Drama Comedy Spot in Semifinals

Originally posted at 6 a.m. Updated with link to the slideshow of 48 photos from Petroni Media Company.

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FRAMINGHAM, MA - The Framingham High School Drama Company’s comedic entry earned them a spot in the semifinal round of the Massachusetts Educational Theatre Guild’s Massachusetts Drama Festival.

Framingham High performed Sideways Stories from Wayside School Saturday afternoon at Framingham High.

A total of eight schools performed, including Marian High, but only three qualified for the semifinal round in March. A total of 42 schools moved on to the semifinals out of more than 110 schools.

Framingham High also won a total of 6 awards in the preliminary round.

Framingham High School Drama Company (FHSDC) President Jamey Miller, a senior, won the David Dooley Award, which goes to the student who most embodies festival. Miller is the cow in the production.

Junior Andrew Caira won an acting role for his performance as three characters in the 40-minute comedy. Caira was Mrs. Gorf, Dr. Pickles, and Ms. Valoosh.

Senior Grace Graham won an acting award for her performance as teacher Mrs. Jewls.

Senior Benny Williams won an acting award for his performance as Louis.

Maddie Hebert won an award for sound design.

Framingham won an award for costumes. Junior Anne Stockless chaired the student costume committee, which also included Melanie Berman, Julia Bertelli, Jake Binnall, Emma Lyons, Olivia Osei-Kulfour, Jordan Petro, Isabella Petroni, and Tori Riley. Designer was Judith Olson.

The show featured 106 students in cast and crew, under the co-direction of Donna Wresinski and Chris Brindley. The duo also produced the show based on the beloved children’s chapter books by Louis Sachar.

The 40-minute production is about a 30-story high elementary school, where the strangest things can happen, including a wicked teacher turning students into apples.

This is Framingham High’s 14th year competing in the state’s drama festival, but the first year ever they have done a comedy.

As an entry in METG’s drama festival, each production must be no longer than 40 minutes. One second over and the production can be disqualified. Students also have 5 minutes to set up the stage and 5 minutes to take down the stage. One second over, again, and they are disqualified.

Framingham yesterday set up their massive set in less than 4 minutes and their show ran 39 minutes long.

More than 110 schools competed at 14 different high schools on Saturday. Framingham High hosted a preliminary round and will host a semifinal round.

The Framingham High School Drama Company staged a benefit performance to an audience of 400-plus on Friday night.

Now that the drama company has qualified for the semifinal round on March 19, there will be a second benefit performance on Friday night, March 18 at 7. Tickets will go on sale shortly.

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Photo pictured is of Mrs. Jewls (Grace Graham) and Louis (Benny Williams) by Petroni Media Company.