Lower Macungie Middle School will perform the revised version of the original 1937 musical comedy “Me and My Girl” 7 p.m. March 30 and 31 and 2 and 7 p.m. April 1.

Tickets are available at the door, online and by phone at 610-395-8593, ext. 26212.

This fun, old-fashioned musical is set in the 1930s in the city of Hareford, England, and revolves around an unrefined, lower class man named Bill who learns he is the 14th heir to the Earl of Hareford.

Nominated for 13 Tony awards and recipient of three, the musical had a successful original run in 1937 and was turned into a film in 1939 titled “The Lambeth Walk” named for one of the show’s songs.

Revised in the 1980s, the musical continues to have all the elements of good-natured humor, music, dancing, charm and wit as the Duchess of Dene tries training Bill to be a suitable gentleman to inherit the title and family estate. One condition Bill faces – he must choose between being a wealthy Earl or being with the love of his life.

Seventh grader Tessa Fritz plays the part of the Duchess, Maria, and describes her as very upper class and snobby. Fritz enjoys playing this part saying, “When the characters are mean and snobby like that I can channel my inner diva!”

Performing previously in elementary grades, Fritz thinks being in the middle school theater production offers an expectation of acting more mature, it’s more professional and you get to sing in different parts with less time to learn lines and prepare.

“Mr. Campbell is really good at giving us exercises that help us. Singing and performing is fun, once you get past your nerves. It’s really fun to express yourself,” Fritz said. She hopes the audience sees “that love is worth fighting for” after watching the show.

Brynn Atticks is an eighth grader who plays the part of a maid who is very polite and curious. Atticks said this play has a lot of characters giving more students a chance to be in the show. She really likes the music describing it as “upbeat, happy and really fun to dance to.” Although it was a little hard playing a different time, Atticks said, “Mr. Campbell really opens your eyes up to what it was like back then – definitely standing straight is part of it and crossing your legs. The outfits are a lot different.”

To prepare personally for her character, Atticks does a lot of warm ups and thinks of the setting place, the time period, what she’s wearing and who her character is – especially her age. She wants audiences to know the show is “energetic and fast-paced. “Come for the accents, they are really fun!”

Lucas Nowak, a seventh grader, plays Sir John who he describes as “a rich and snobby guy who is secretly in love with the Duchess and she’s secretly in love with him.” Nowak describes what he likes about being part of the play. “What I really love about it in general is that you get to meet tons of people and make new friends. It’s really a blast, fun to act and make new friends.” He wants to “put audiences in a good mood. When they leave and they are all talking and happy that is always good.” Referring to the play’s time period Nowak said, “I need to be a whole lot (more) proper than I would be on a daily basis and obviously with the accent it’s a lot different. It really makes the show, I would never (meaning today) wear a sweater vest.”

Bethany Brown likes being part of crew and set building and has been since starting middle school. She loves seeing behind the scenes and all the work that goes into it. “I think it’s a really cool perspective of the show. We build the actual structures on the set and paint them. Comedies are always unit sets; musical sets are constantly moving and changing,” Brown said.

Being part of crew and set crew, Brown said she has learned the experience of teamwork and learned a lot about how to build things. Along with seeing the work effort they have all put into the show, Brown said she “hopes the audiences walk out of here singing these songs and recalling parts of the show they really loved, because it’s a great show!”

Editor’s Note: See additional photos in next week’s issue of The Press.