The theater department at Warrenton High School will open its doors Thursday evening for the presentation of “Suite Surrender,” a comedy full of romance, mistaken identity and a few cat fights between competing divas.

Set in 1942, songstress Claudia McFadden, played by Alexandra Chandler, and Athena Sinclair, screen star, played by Danielle Perry, check in to the Palm Beach Royale Hotel only to find out they have mistakenly been assigned to the same suite. Once friends, the glamorous pair are now arch enemies and can’t stand to occupy the same space.

They are slotted to perform for a wartime USO benefit show, entertaining the troops, but their feud has everyone in an uproar, including their personal secretaries and the hotel staff.

Although Chandler and Perry were friends before working on the current production, being cast as drama queens in constant battle has made them the best of friends.

Chandler, who played Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz” during the 2022 fall production, said she went from “small and meek” to a “violent drunk.” 

“I seem to have a thing for roles with dogs,” said Chandler, hugging her onstage stuffed pooch, Mr. Boodles.

Perry said her character is quite prideful and has left a string of marriages in her wake.

“I’ve never acted before,” said Perry. “I’ve done all the other jobs, but this is the first time acting. I thought, why not?”

The two leading ladies said there is a huge plot twist at the end, but they are not telling.

Noah Agler, as Bernard S. Dunlap, tries to hold everything together as the manager of the luxurious Palm Beach Royale Hotel.

“I’m trying to keep them away from each other throughout the whole play, while dealing with several other things going wrong,” said Agler. “My roles keep getting more and more challenging. I’ve learned a lot about taking charge of the stage and becoming more comfortable.”

Agler said theater is his one and only extracurricular activity. He said his experience has helped him with self-confidence.

“There’s not much else to my personality,” he reflected. “I was a very awkward person. This show has helped me get out of my shell.”

Director Alexandra Soloman is finishing her first year on a high note as the theater teacher at Warrenton High School.

“This is a great way to end the season,” she said. “It has been positive, we have worked collectively and a lot of new talent has been discovered in this show. All of the students have brought individual talents to the show.”

More than 25 students are participating in “Suite Surrender,” in front of and behind the curtain. The production will run from Thursday through Saturday, April 13 – 15, at 7 p.m. each evening. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students.