leader of the pack?

Without a doubt, that would be Trey Wilner!

 

"What's going on? Who did what?"

 

I'm talking about that much-needed musical today and the young man who played the lead role at the Enrico Fermi High School, that's what!

 

"Enrico Fermi? That's the physicist behind the first artificial nuclear reactor, right?"

 

Funny you should mention that device. 'Jonny' rides his motorcycle into the nuclear power plant near the school after 'Toffee' dumps him. Her parents didn't approve of the orphaned newcomer and of his dropping the 'h' from his name. That kind of rebel was not who they wanted their one-and-only daughter hanging out with.

 

"I see. And he, of course, rode a motorcycle and wore a black leather jacket, I bet. He probably talked back to the principal, too, didn't he?"

 

You got it, sister! The chemistry nerds - 'Joey', 'Josh', and 'Jake' - took his side after he was kicked out of school, but 'Miss Delilah Strict' refused to let him finish out the school year and graduate, all because of the missing 'h'. Then 'Toffee' dumped him, and that was all too much for the teen. So he committed suicide. Pretty dark for a rom-com.

 

"Yikes! Holy shiite!!! What was the name of this???"

 

"Zombie Prom: Atomic Edition". There's even a Director's Note that was both humorous and factual. "While Jonny driving his motorcycle into the nuclear plant is a silly idea for a musical, it's a colossally bad idea in real life. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, you can call or text 988 to reach the National suicide & Crisis hotline, or you can chat with a professional at 988lifeline.org 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, free of charge. No reason is too big or too small." 

 

"Wow. That sounds like the Director, Jenn Doubleday, took this very seriously as a 'teachable moment'."

 

Well, it is a Savannah Children's Theatre production, and it was performed on school grounds at the Kennedy Building at Savannah State University. I thought it was to their favor that they stepped in at took it so seriously, rather than laughing it off. Teen romances are just as egocentric and intense as adult romances. All the same chemicals are involved, but the persons lack the experience and knowledge to deal with them rationally. Not that adults do that good a job of it, but...

 

"Yeah, I know what you mean."

 

The musical itself was fabulous! It also dealt with teen pregnancy, baby abandonment to the foster system, the media's sensationalism of stories in all forms, and xenophobia. That's quite a lot packed into a two-act that the students had two weeks to learn!

 

"Two weeks?!? That's all the rehearsal they had?!?"

 

Yep! This was one of the Summer Camp shows! The players had to submerge themselves into the material, then perform it three times. Just amazing!!! And Jada Banks was there, too, as one of the cheerleaders! Maya Kendrick, as 'Toffee', was the head cheerer, and the squad was filled out with Megan Borges and Elle Gibson. Great fun they all were! As was Braidyn Riggsbee as the principal and Carmen Titus as 'Eddie Flagrante', head reporter of 'Exposed'. But it was Trey Wilner who was front and center in every scene 'Jonny' had!

 

"That name sounds familiar to me. What else has he been in?"

 

Well, he was the assistant to 'Mrs. Lovett' in her pie-making venture. But that's not where I remember him best. That would be from his role as 'Jesse' in "Tuck Everlasting" last fall. When he came out into the lobby after that show, he made a beeline for me and gave me a big hug for being so responsive in the audience. That was wonderful!!!

 

"Do you think he might have recognized you from then?"

 

Actually, I think he did! I was sitting right there in the front row, as I like to do, so the actors can see my reactions for their lines and characters. I know very well that he saw me, and that he kept looking at me, as did some of the others. I tried to telepath that I knew who he was, too. And I think he might have hugged me again, had I hung around a bit longer. I did stay for a few minutes, lurking in the lobby, but there were so many parents waiting for their stars to come out... so I left.

 

"Oh! You should have been more patient! I am sure he would have loved to talk to you and get your perspective on this play!"

 

Well, then, I will be sure to stay and see him the next time I go to one of the SavChTh productions. I will, no matter the crowd.