Conestoga Valley's Gerald G. Huesken Middle School will present the comedy "The Last Gladiator" on Friday and Saturday, March 27 and 28, at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at Smoketown Elementary School, 500 Mount Sidney Road, Lancaster.

The comedy centers around two thieves who concoct a risky scheme to meet the princess. With their friend Julia, Gladius and Minimus sneak into the royal palace in disguise. With the emperor away at war, the princess is in control of Rome, but one senator challenges her authority and forces her to search for a husband. If she cannot find a suitable match, her father has decreed she must marry the last gladiator standing in the upcoming games. If she trains Gladius to compete, she can avoid marrying Brudis, the brainless brute favored to win.

The play is directed by Suzanne Fisher. The cast features Liam Hengst as Gladius, Caelan Neufeld as Minimus, Alice Reigner as Julia, Sofia Kyler as the Princess, and Juliet Unruh as Senator Altilia. The cast also includes Isabelle Summerson, Ithan Mason, Emmelee Campbell, Jessika Fisher, Maryanna Duchesneau, Capri Stoltzfus, Lucas Tran, Kaylee Shulenberger, Hailey Poston, Cordelia Hoover, Reagan Reed, Hope Dunbar, Azlynn Tellado, Christian Bare, Betsy Cutrona, Russel Delp, Adaliz Felix, Dylan Foster, Serenity George, Sage Gracely, Vian Le, Clark McClune, Violet Moua, Silas Neufeld, Oakley Stauffer, and Violet Summerson. The production team includes Andy Zellers, stage manager/set contractor; Kim Stamm, set designer; Burnie Smucker, technician; Anna Jessel, assistant director; Paige Stoltzfus, student director; Jordyn Lehman, student stage manager/costumes; Lauren Allen, costumes; and Terry Hawkins, faculty consultant.

Students will receive a discount on tickets, which may be purchased at the door or at https://ghms.conestogavalley.org/for-students/clubs-organizations/spring-play.