The Saint Patrick High School Theatre Department production of “Over the Tavern” has been selected by the Illinois High School Theatre Festival to be presented as a full-length production at the 31st Annual High School Theatre Festival. The festival, which will be held at Illinois State University from January 4 - 6, 2006, is the largest and oldest non-competitive high school theatre festival in the world. The Saint Patrick production of “Over the Tavern” is one of 12 full-length productions selected, out of 50 productions adjudicated throughout the state, to be performed this year.

Written by Tom Dudzick and directed by Kevin Long, Theatre Program Director, "Over the Tavern" is a humorous and true-to-life portrait of a Polish Catholic family Buffalo, New York. This hilarious yet affectionate memory play is set in 1959 when Catholic kids were angelic, reverent and obedient. And then there was Rudy. Growing up Polish/Catholic in the late ‘50s, the bright, wisecracking, 12-year-old member of the Pazinski family, Rudy is full of life’s hopes and joys. Unfortunately, this frequently puts him at odds with some of the precepts of the Catholic Church and in particular his teacher, the stern Sister Clarissa. The play was performed in early November as part of the Saint Patrick Theatre Department’s 2005-2006 season. The show was an artistic triumph and a final success, nearly selling out its three-performance run.

The intent of the Illinois High School Theatre Festival play selection program is to feature productions from across the state, providing students with exposure to a wide variety of theatrical production styles, including musicals. Selection to perform at the festival is an honor and an opportunity to share the talents and accomplishments of the students of Saint Patrick with their peers.