Cast photos from June 15 read-through and Casting Weekend (Provided photo — Book and Blanket Players)

KEENE VALLEY — The Book and Blanket Players will perform an original musical written by two high school students, “Everyone Loves Camping,” on July 13.

The Book and Blanket Players have been producing youth musicals-in-a-week summer theatre for 14 years in Keene Valley. This year, the theatrical adventure continues with another musical written by high school students Cooper Halloran and Sadie Burgess, produced and directed by Kathleen Recchia.

The writing team has been meeting through Zoom once a week since September 2023 to develop this musical.

After the success of last year’s musical adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island,” co-author Halloran approached Recchia about creating an entirely original musical based on his own plot line. The concept was a bit different at the start but by December the team had settled on the family camping theme. Through lots of discussion and writing sessions the trio worked together to bring Halloran’s vision to life through dialogue and song.

“It was another great experience,” Recchia said. “We learned a lot about working together and getting things done in a timely manner.”

Recchia said she loves the way it all came together with the songs and script at the read-thru.

As is the case with all Book and Blanket Players’ musicals in a week, the rehearsal time is short and intense. Rehearsals begin on July 7 with a full performance at Keene Central School on Saturday, July 13 at 6 p.m.

There will be a special reservation-only concert version performance the next day at 4 p.m. at the Keene Valley Country Club.

The Book and Blanket production team includes vocal coach-master class teacher Alisa Endsley. Endsley is known in the Broadway community. As a leading actress, Endsley has worked with some of the biggest names on Broadway including composer Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, director Trevor Nunn, Tony wining actors Patti Lupone, George Hearn and Betty Buckley. Her talents have also taken her on many national tours and leading roles in London’s West End. Other members of the creative team are co-director Annie Scavo; Rose Chancler, founder and artistic director of Piano by Nature; Maddy Runyon, Lia Loomis, Kim Peralta, veteran players actor Cal Page-Bryant; and co-creator Halloran. This year, Kathy Wiegand is joining the team as rehearsal accompanist.

“Everyone Loves Camping” is a full-length musical with a running time of about an hour and 30 minutes.

The show is free, donations will be gratefully accepted. Reservations are required for the concert version performance at the Keene Valley Country Club by calling 518-487-0041.