The Gridley High School Drama Club will present three short plays on March 7 and March 8. In the back, from left, are Owen Stewart, Melody Thompson, William Yost, Christian Harshbarger, McKenna Swanson, Kaiza Quist and Clair Robertson. In the front, from left, are Yaritza Perez Yahuaca, Ruby Rosas and Asia Clark. Photo by Cindy Scott

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Ten Gridley High School drama students are preparing to entertain audiences next week with three short comedy plays in the return of the One Act Plays. 

In “Cinderella Wears Combat Boots,” the classic fairytale is retold in modern terms. The stepsisters are more boy crazy than ugly, their mother more silly than cruel and the prince is so bashful and tongue-tied that he hides whenever a girl comes into view. Connie Quist, who participated in the One Act Plays as a student, directs this play.

Also directed by Quist is “Paper or Plastic,” which follows a teenager and the hazards of employment on her first job. She and a fellow employee even try to be rude to customers, only to get promoted.

In “Louder, I Can’t Hear You,” audiences will see a family that lives together but each member lives entirely in his or her own world. The mother anxiously tries to reach her distracted children, with hilarious results. Ethan Jacobsen directs this play, with help from student director McKenna Swanson.

Some cast members perform in one play, others are in two plays and some are in all three plays. The One Act Plays have been a tradition at Gridley High School for 35 years, alternating years with the Gridley High School Musical. The community is invited to attend and enjoy these dedicated student actors. 

Performances are at 7 p.m. Friday, March 7; and at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, March 8 at the Gridley Community Center, 200 E Spruce St.

Tickets, sold at the door, are $5 for students and $7 for adults. Cash or checks only, and not credit cards, will be accepted.