Lights Go Up on Summer Youth Musicals

By Stephanie Tracy
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 7/18/02)

This summer is anything but the same old song and dance for youths and young adults at three diocesan parishes.

Youth groups at All Saints Parish in Manassas, St. Mark Parish in Vienna and St. Bernadette Parish in Springfield have been rehearsing for their summer youth ministry musical productions for weeks. The three productions will run back-to-back weekends beginning July 18 to 20.

Godspell

The curtain goes up on Godspell at All Saints Parish in Manassas on July 18.

Billed as a production of "Upper Room Theater Ministries," the musical’s 18-member cast is made up of youths and young adults, as well as some professionals on the production staff.

Rob Tessier, youth minister at All Saints and director of the musical, said the cast and crew hope to produce a professional show.

"This is the retelling of the gospel of Matthew," Tessier said. "It’s a musical you can do without really knowing what your talent base is, and one that allows the actors to really personalize their roles. It’s rooted in the Gospel and has a really strong moral message."

Sarah Davis, a junior at Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, Va., is working as the summer assistant in the youth ministry office at the parish. She plays the role of the confidante in the musical.

"I’m everybody’s best friend in the play," Davis said.

Davis also comes with some acting experience, having performed in productions in high school.

"This is not like any other cast I’ve ever worked with," she said. "The time frame has brought us together a lot faster; I really enjoy the family atmosphere we already have." Performances run July 18 to 20 at 7 p.m. each night in the All Saints School gym.

All proceeds will benefit Medical Missionaries, a nonprofit group providing medical supplies and services to the poor in the Arlington Diocese Mission in Banica, Dominican Republic, regions of Haiti and other impoverished communities at home and abroad.

Lisa Verry, 15, plays the role of the "Tom Boy" in Godspell.

"I’ve been in four musicals at school," the Seton High School junior said. "But I’ve never done anything with this small a group before. My sister and brother are also involved in the play so it’s been something fun for all of us to do this summer."

Verry said she is enjoying the opportunity to meet new people and work together as a team.

The Music Man

The cast and crew at St. Bernadette’s are learning how to work with almost 100 people to produce The Music Man, starting July 25.

With a cast of 58, the Summer Theatre Program (STP) at St. Bernadette’s is the largest group of the three programs in the diocese.

Production manager Meg Dalmut said patriotism was a major factor in choosing Music Man for this summer’s production.

"We wanted to do an American show by an American playwright," she said. "We wanted something that was family-oriented, very positive and upbeat."

The show runs July 25 to 27. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. each night in the St. Bernadette School gym. The play runs approximately two hours with an intermission.

St. Bernadette’s STP is also the only summer theatre program in the diocese whose cast is restricted to high school students, rising ninth-graders through recently graduated seniors.

Bridget Faherty, a recently graduated senior from Bishop Ireton High School, plays "Marian Paroo."

"This is my first summer with St. Bernadette’s musicals," she said. "I’ve been in musicals before in high school and a few community theatre shows. This show is great because the people are so friendly, and it’s really balanced. I’ve met some really great people."

Jared Timmons, who plays "Harold Hill," has also enjoyed his time with the St. Bernadette’s cast and crew.

"A friend at school got me to come to the auditions," he said. "This has been a really fun experience; everyone’s very easygoing, and they’re willing to work with you when you forget a line or mess up on the dance."

Damn Yankees

Other teens and young adults in the diocese have turned the youth musical experience into a family affair.

Laurie Wehrmeyer, a sophomore at the College of William and Mary, plays "Meg Boyd" in St. Mark’s production of Damn Yankees. This is the first production for her brother, Zach.

"The first St. Mark’s play I tried out for was Fiddler on the Roof," Wehrmeyer said. "I got the part and that play was one of my best experiences; I really want to make this year’s experience just as awesome for Zach as my first show was."

Damn Yankees opens at the St. Mark’s Activity Center Aug. 1 at 7:30 p.m., and runs through Aug. 4. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 2-3, with additional matinee performances at 2 p.m. Aug. 3-4.

Proceeds will benefit St. Patrick’s Foundation in Jamaica, an organization working to help the poor and destitute in Kingston, Jamaica.

The show will run for approximately two hours, with a "seventh inning stretch."

Kathy Sullivan, one of the producers and a technical director for the show, explained the choice of the musical.

"We wanted to do a show that encourages hope," she said. "Looking at the state of the world right now, we wanted to try to instill a little hope in some of these kids who maybe had lost that hope after Sept. 11."

Nicole Vera, a senior at Bishop O’Connell High School, brings a lot of experience to the St. Mark’s production. Vera, who plays the role of "Lola," hopes to add to her singing and acting experience.

"I love musicals," she said. "They’re always a lot of fun. And besides, doing a St. Mark’s show is like going on a retreat each time."

Another benefit to working on the musicals at St. Mark’s is the opportunity to do something concrete to help others.

One cast member, Bruce Phillips, enjoys being able to play such a big part in raising money for Jamaica’s poor.

"I’ve been doing St. Mark’s musicals since Fiddler on the Roof," he said. "This is the biggest role I’ve had, and it’s really exciting for me to have such a big part in raising money for Kingston."

Godspell: July 18-20, 7 p.m., All Saints Church, 9300 Stonewall Rd., Manassas, VA 20110. For information on ticket prices, contact Youth Ministry Office at 703/393-2141.

The Music Man: July 25-27, 7:30 p.m., St. Bernadette Church, 7600 Old Keene Mill Rd., Springfield, VA 22152. For information on ticket prices, contact Youth Ministry Office at 703/451-4228.

Damn Yankees: Aug. 1-4, 7:30 p.m. (Aug. 1-3), 2 p.m. (Aug. 3-4), St. Mark Church, 9970 Vale Rd., Vienna, VA 22181. For information on ticket prices, contact Youth Ministry Office at 703/938-5656.

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