Saturday’s show will be the last Pickerington Central theatre production for the foreseeable future following the defeat of the school income tax levy.
November 5, 2026
Photos by Rachel Scofield
The curtain is about to close on Pickerington High School Central Theatre, at least for the foreseeable future. Saturday, Nov. 7, offers audiences one last opportunity to enjoy a PHSC production as the cast and crew present the final performance of their fall comedy, Play On! by Rick Abbott.
The news comes following the Nov. 3 defeat of the proposed Pickerington Local School District income tax levy. All future theatre productions have been canceled, including the previously planned spring production of Shrek the Musical.
For now, however, the show must go on.
Play On! is a three-act comedy that takes audiences behind the scenes of a community theatre company attempting to produce a murder mystery called Murder Most Foul. The inexperienced playwright has agreed to let the company perform the show for free, but the director and theatre manager, Gerry, soon discovers that the bargain comes with plenty of problems.
The supposed murder mystery doesn’t actually have a murder, the cast is growing increasingly disgruntled, and the playwright continues changing the script just two days before opening night. To make matters worse, the playwright accidentally deletes the entire sound-effects board.
The comedy combines physical and verbal humor as audiences follow the troupe through rehearsals, final dress rehearsal and the performances themselves. Adding to the fun, the PHSC crew assembles the set throughout the production, making the evolving scenery part of the theatrical experience.
Described as a love letter to community theatre, Play On! celebrates the determination and sometimes chaotic creativity required to bring a production to the stage.The production is rated PG.
One Last Chance to See the Show
The final performance of Play On! takes place Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Pickerington High School Central.
Tickets are available through the Pickerington Local School District event ticketing page.
