What: “South Pacific”

Where: Alden-Conger School stage

When: 7 p.m. tonight and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday

Admission: $5 for adults; $3 for students

Alden-Conger High School students will perform Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “South Pacific” this weekend in what is their spring musical.

The musical, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “Tales of the South Pacific,” by James A. Michener, takes place on two islands in the South Pacific during World War II.

Director Ada Theusch said the play is “a snapshot of the fun, challenging, romantic and mischievous experiences” of military personnel stationed in the South Pacific during the 1940s.

In the play, Ensign Nellie Forbush, played by Alicia Schewe, falls in love with Emile de Becque, played by Sky Miller. Emile is a French plantation owner living on the island where Nellie is stationed.

Military personnel Capt. Brackett (Zach Rinehart), Cmdr. Harbison (Zack Roberts) and Lt. Cable (Jeff Lackey) urge Emile to become involved in a top secret military operation which is sure to change the course of the war.

On top of that, there are the antics of Bloody Mary (Catherine Brown), Luther Billis (Tony Behnke), Professor (Kiel Robinson) and Stewpot (Joel Faugstad).

Director Ada Theusch said she chose the musical over some others she was considering because of the characters.

“I knew we had the talent here at Alden-Conger to pull off ‘South Pacific,’” she said. “The characters in the show are endearing to an audience.”

The cast of 47 includes students from third grade through 12th grade and also a few appearances by school staff and community members.

Adults in the show are Nick Larson and Gary Nelson, playing mechanics, and Steve Kier, Radley Miller and Frank Purdy as airline pilots. There is a crew of 13 students.

Theusch said the seniors involved with the musical are Miller, Robinson, Lackey, Paul Boettcher, Matt Jensen, Allyssa Bruzelius, Cody Koenen, Anna Skov, Amber Erickson, Kelsey Munson and Kristal Jameson.

She said some of these seniors have been in every play since the sixth grade, while others are trying drama for the first time. Some are assisting with organizing stage makeup and costumes, some are mentoring other actors and others are tutoring younger students with their choreography and stage movement.

Pam Koenen is the assistant director, Sara Teskey and Tricia Kuster are the choreographers and Mary Schulte is the set designer.

Duane Koenen has been in charge of set construction, and Jenny Jensen is helping with programs and posters.

Student leadership positions are held by Allyssa Bruzelius as makeup coordinator.

French pronunciation coach is Eric Westphal, and pianists are Cheri Bruzelius and Ann Purdy.

Other staff members, parents and community members have come forward offering time and use of clothing for costumes and props for the stage, Theusch said.

Accents Floral in Alden lent the school a floral arch and numerous palm trees to be used on the set, one staff member has donated an old wringer washer and another staff member donated the use of a structure that will be used as an overturned boat.

“It is my hope that while touching the lives and hearts of audience members with their performance, the actors will come away from this unforgettable experience with a sense of pride and confidence in their skills,” Theusch said.

Alden-Conger School is at 215 N. Broadway Ave., Alden.

There will be three productions of the musical — one each on Friday and Saturday and then one in the afternoon on Sunday.