Muhlenberg College’s Theatre & Dance Department premieres “Local Girls,” a play with music about a teenage heavy metal rock band, April 20-23, Studio Theatre, Trexler Pavilion for Theatre & Dance, Muhlenberg College, Allentown.

Written by Emma Goidel in 2016, “Local Girls” is about searching for big-time glory in a small-time town.

“Anyone who has ever felt stuck in their circumstances, dreaming of escape, will find familiar themes in ‘Local Girls,’” says Muhlenberg College Professor of Theater Beth Schachter, who directs the play.

“The show calls attention to the limits and constraints on people in their late teens, heading out into life. It also explores the importance of sticking with relationships where you love somebody, even if that person fails you or you fail them,” says Schachter.

In Tucker, Georgia, Diskit (Tomomi Lewis-Noguchi) is a high school chemistry genius in need of friends. Riley (Christine Norton) is a high school burnout in need of a singer for her metal band. A local contest could change the lives of the high school girls.

“The show highlights the feeling of being passionate about something,” says music director and composer Jeff Yorgey.

“There’s a lot of metal out there that has a positive message and not a lot of people realize that. Heavy metal is an outlet when there’s no way to get certain feelings out other than shouting them at the top of your lungs,” Yorgey says.

Cast members have a music background, but most would not have described themselves as fans of metal music. Yorgey has been rehearsing them since January, helping them transform into Thigh Trap, the band at the center of “Local Girls.”

“We need to believe that these characters are lifelong metal musicians,” says Yorgey, “So, it’s been my main challenge to get the actors up to speed on how these instruments are played in the frame of metal music.”

Norton says that playing instruments on stage has benefited character development in more ways than one.

“Having live music honestly makes the process more comfortable,” says Norton.

“To have my instrument with me when I’m on stage helps me make a deeper connection with my character, and it’s fun.

“I think that’s what the show is all about, finding a way to describe what the feeling of music brings to people and what exactly makes them feel that way,” Norton says.

Lewis-Noguchi says that discovering the relationships between the characters has been a crucial element of rehearsals.

“All of the characters have been friends, or are just becoming friends,” Lewis-Noguchi says. “So, we’ve needed to develop these relationships in order to portray them realistically.”

The show features a guest performance by Muhlenberg College Professor of Acting Jim Van Valen as Diskit’s dad.

Schachter says she was drawn to “Local Girls” by its authentic depiction of teenage life and the struggle for love and belonging.

The actors agree, and say they’ve been delving into their own fairly recent teenage experiences as they formulate their characters.

“Expect to be taken back to high school in good and bad ways,” Lewis-Noguchi says, adding, “The show calls attention to that feeling of not knowing anything about yourself, and then learning things about yourself from the people you love.”

“Local Girls,” 8 p.m. April 20, 22; 2, 8 p.m. April 23; 2 p.m. April 24, Studio Theatre, Trexler Pavilion for Theatre & Dance, Muhlenberg College, 2400 Chew St., Allentown. Tickets: 484-664-3333; https://muhlenberg.edu/seeashow

Lehigh slam-poetry play:

Lehigh University Department of Theatre presents the area premiere of “Brown Face” April 14-22, Diamond Theater, Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh University.

Part-play, part-poetry slam, “Brown Face” follows a group of college students as they navigate their identities in the competitive world of spoken-word poetry.

The play, written by Carissa Atallah, a playwright from Southern California, premiered in 2021 and received The Harold and Mimi Steinberg National Student Playwriting Award presented by the Kennedy Center.

Gracia is a Chicana writer. In order to draw attention to her work but not her undocumented status, Gracia convinces her white and United States-born best friend Mariza to perform her poetry.

When Gracia’s words launch Mariza into gaining a following as a Latinx artist and activist, their friendship is tested by privilege and cultural appropriation.

Lehigh University Department of Theatre Chairperson Kashi Johnson directs the play.

“Brown Face,” 7:30 p.m. April 14, 15, 20-22; 2 p.m. April 16, Diamond Theater, Zoellner Arts Center, 420 E. Packer Avenue, Bethlehem. Tickets: 610-758-2787; http://zoellner.cas.lehigh.edu

“Curtain Rises” is a column about the theater, stage shows, the actors in them and the directors and artists who make them happen. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com