Stratford High School swept the Tommy Tune Awards last year, taking home Best Musical, Best Direction, Best Leading Actor, Best Leading Actress and Best Featured Performer for its production of Barnum. Even though they're still teens, the group grabs the attention of local theater lovers with their polished, poised performances. This time they're presenting Steel Pier, a 1930s period piece about a ballroom competition; the work was created by John Kander and Fred Ebb, the team that brought audiences Chicago and Cabaret. Taking place in the tough Atlantic City of the '30s, Steel Pier features some hard-knock characters who know how to beat the odds. And, of course, there's plenty of dancing - this is the story of a dance marathon, after all. Though this show was not one of Kander and Ebb's most successful musicals, all that adolescent energy promises fireworks onstage. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays. Through February 6. Stratford Playhouse, 14555 Fern. For information, call 713-251-3449 or visit www.shsplayhouse.com. $15.
Thursdays-Saturdays. Starts: Jan. 28. Continues through Feb. 6, 2010