Kids audition for summer play
Jared Collins is pictured during auditions for the youth production of “Murder at the Goon Show,” which were held Saturday and Sunday, May 21 and 22 at the Triple Locks Theater. Thirty-seven area youth tried out for the production. Mark Fortune | Beacon
COSHOCTON – Shelly Lillibridge, who is directing the youth production, “Murder at the Goon Show,” said, “This year we are doing a comedy whodunit. It takes place backstage at a big theater, lots of contestants for a show very much like the olden days of a show called the Gong Show. Talent, not so good but a lot of performers. So, they’re all backstage and they’re talking and somebody gets murdered. And the person that gets it, everyone on the stage pretty much has a reason why they would like that person dead.”
“So there are dual things going on, not only the murder, but there are also some bad things happening at the theater. There’s a police officer who is disguised as a contestant who is there to investigate that problem. And then, he is there when the murder happens so he goes to that. So there are two things happening at the same time.”
Marissa Crawford, who is producing, said, “The kids come from all over the county, from Coshocton, River View and Ridgewood to audition. It’s great that we have this much variety.”
Both Lillibridge and Crawford said that they enjoy being part of the theater.
“I call it the hidden jewel,” said Lillibridge. “So many people will come and say, ‘I’ve never been to the theater.’ It’s hard for me to wrap my mind around that. Let’s put the kids show into perspective, when they start young, it’s really awesome to see some of them come on through. I was just in a production at Christmas with Heath Chaney who started in kids’ productions and is now an adult and is directing plays at other places. And Marissa Crawford, who started with kids productions, now a young working woman in Columbus but still finds a way to come back and support us and do her thing.”
“Some of these kids will be in high school plays or in college. And all of this is a sounding board for them in their college days. This is a foundation for that and for many friendships.”
The performances will be Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 14-16 and July 21-23 at 8 p.m. at the Triple Locks Theater in Roscoe Village and two Sunday matinees, July 17 and 24 at 2 p.m. You can find out more at www.footlightplayers.com.
Category: Arts & Entertainment
