Musical theater has a long-standing tradition at Turner Ashby High School. In 1968 and 1969, TA presented two Gilbert and Sullivan operettas H.M.S. Pinafore and The Mikado under the direction of choir director Mr. R. Duane Rumburg. Turner Ashby began presenting Broadway musicals in 1972 with the production of Oliver under the direction of Mr. Jessie Hopkins and Mr. James Wampler. These Broadway musicals have run the gamut from Rodgers and Hammerstein favorites like The Sound of Music(1980 and 2005), The King and I, Oklahoma (1987 and 1997), and South Pacific (1985 and 1999) to more contemporary shows like Godspell, Pippin, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Les Misérables.

It has been a point of pride that all Turner Ashby musicals have been very professional in their production. Beyond the professional attitude, however, has been the sense shared by those involved that musical is a loving gift given not only to the audience but also to each other. While it is certainly meant to entertain, it is also meant to touch the heart and spirit of all, including the audience.

It has always been very important that all students who wish to do so have the opportunity to participate in some aspect of the production. Whenever possible, we have used a full orchestra so that our instrumental musicians could be showcased. We have had any number of Special Education students to participate. Over the years, a number of our foreign exchange students have been involved with musicals. In at least two shows, major roles were split to give more students the chance to shine. One show even added an on-stage chorus, as well as a pit chorus, to take a ten-person show to a fifty-person show.

Perhaps the most important aspect of TA musicals has been the emphasis on the connections created between students, directors, faculty, and parents. Several of our Turner Ashby staff have been part of the casts over the years. A number have worked on other aspects of production from set construction to publicity. Many faculty and community members have “loaned” us their younger children when we have asked. Some of these children have gone on to be in as many as eight productions by the end of their high school careers. Many parents have helped out with everything from sewing costumes and doing make-up, to designing and building sets and working on the stage crew, to playing in the orchestra. Even former students have come back to work both behind the scenes and on stage. We like to think of all the people who make our productions possible as one big musical family, some of whom may move on to other places and other activities, but all of whom are always connected by those bonds of friendship and caring which grow strong with the sharing of long hours of work, a few tears, and much laughter.

Past Productions

2021 - Freaky Friday
2020 - Hello, Dolly!
2019 - James and the Giant Peach
2018 - The Phantom of the Opera
2017 - The Boyfriend (Click here for pictures from the show.)
2016 - The Pajama Game (Click here for pictures from the show.)
2015 – Shrek The Musical (Click here for pictures from the show.)
2014 – Footloose (Click here for pictures from the show. Be sure to scroll down.)
2013 – Bye Bye Birdie (Click here for pictures of the show.)
2012 – Wonderful Town
2011 – Once Upon a Mattress (Click here for pictures of the show. Be sure to scroll down.)
2010 – Les Misérables (Click here for pictures of the show. Be sure to scroll down.)
2009 – Anything Goes (Click here for pictures of the show.)
2008 – South Pacific
2007 – Into the Woods (Photos)
2006 – Fiddler on the Roof
2005 – You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Winter)
2005 – The Sound of Music (Spring)
2004 – Annie
2003 – The Music Man
2002 – Crazy for You
2001 – The Wizard of Oz
2000 – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
1999 – South Pacific
1998 – Cinderella
1997 – Oklahoma
1996 – Guys and Dolls
1995 – The Music Man
1994 – Pippin
1993 - Hello Dolly
1992 – West Side Story
1991 – Godspell
1990 – Anything Goes (First show in Bridgewater facility)
1989 – Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Last show in Dayton facility)
1988 – Carousel
1987 – Oklahoma
1986 – Cinderella
1985 – South Pacific
1984 – Brigadoon
1983 – The Music Man
1982 – Camelot
1981 – Finian’s Rainbow
1980 – The Sound of Music
1979 – Guys and Dolls
1978 – Carnival
1977 – Fiddler on the Roof
1976 – How to Succeed in Business
1975 – The King and I
1974 – My Fair Lady
1973 – Li’l Abner
1972 – Oliver
1969 – The Mikado
1968 – H.M.S. Pinafore