The students of St. Joseph High School will take to the stage this weekend for its 39th Annual Variety Show.

The theme is set circa 1925 when the school opened and looks at the “then and now” of music, entertainment, inventions, and headlines. The show opens with a movie re-enactment of the dedication of the school and explores the various facets — the good and the bad, of the era.  Tunes like “Sweet Georgia Brown,” “Smile,” “Men of Constant Sorrow,” and old time Gospel melodies set the tone for the student-driven show.

A first for this performance is a collaboration with the Paramount Arts Center’s education department through The Big Read Project of “The Great Gatsby.”  Students have looked at the 1920s era through the lenses of science, history, religion/theology and the performing arts.

This show also marks the premier of stage facilities upgrades.  The stage has been renovated with new flooring, acoustical ceiling tiles, and state of the art stage lighting. Audience patrons will have an opportunity to pledge to assist in completing the staging upgrades for next season.

The show will take place in the St. Joseph High School Gym on Friday at 7:30 p.m. with a dinner show on Saturday at 6 p.m. On Saturday, the show will begin 30 minutes  following dinner. A school show for St. Lawrence is planned for Friday at 9:30 a.m. Entrance fee is $7; Dinner and show is $15.