The transformation of cinema from silent movies to “talkies” has been portrayed in numerous shapes and forms. From “Singing in the Rain” to “The Artist,” Hollywood often goes back in time to reflect on what was lost or gained in the transition.

Friendship, art and change are all at play in Wilsonville High School’s spring theatrical comedy “Once in a Lifetime,” by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman.

The play is the school’s first in the Black Box Theater since the renovation of the new Performing Arts Center.

“As far as the set goes for ‘Once In A Lifetime,’ it’s very unique and the first show mounted in the new WVHS Black Box Theatre since the renovation,” said director Jason Katz by email. “When the audience walks into the new Black Box Theater for the first time, they will be greeted with a big green and golden Hollywood Hills set, complete with the Hollywood sign, which at that time read ‘Hollywoodland.’ The seats for the play are on two different sides of the stage. We have not performed a small-scale production like this since ‘The Importance Of Being Earnest’ in 2018.”

“Once in a Lifetime” opens at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 15. Performances continue at 7 p.m. on May 16, 17, 22, 23 and 24. Tickets are $10 for students and seniors and $12 for adults.

Set in 1928, right after the arrival of the very first “talkie” movie, the comedy follows three down-on-their-luck vaudeville performers: May Daniels, Jerry Hyland and George Lewis. The trio decide to try their luck in Hollywood and pretend to be vocal coaches for the intense and exacting studio producer Herman Glogauer.

“Like all Kaufman and Hart plays, it’s a really well-written comedy. It holds up over time and has all kinds of fun characters, love stories and goofy things happening that most anyone can enjoy,” said Katz. “It was a really tumultuous time in Hollywood. People were losing their jobs. Actors were terrified because they had never spoken lines out loud before. And that’s right where this story comes in. Hollywood has always been a little bit preposterous. This play does a great job of satirizing the ups and downs of bringing successful movies to life.”

“Once in a Lifetime” features senior Grace Haack, senior Skyler Hopper, junior Stevie Binns, senior Ellie Hulstine, senior Nikolai Kuroshov, sophomore Taylor Nichols and junior Sophia Culp.

Tickets are for sale online.