Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 12, 1994 TAG: 9405120145
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By KATHLEEN WILSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
``Yes, Johnny is really one of the movers and shakers here at school.''
Yes, those words describe the student who donned a wig, red lipstick and his mother's bra for the school's talent show.
The night John Smith Jr. did Linda Richman at the talent show was the very first time he'd done it. What was most amazing was his mastery of an authentic New York Jewish accent.
``I speak French and Spanish almost fluently, and Yiddish on occasion,'' Smith said with a smile. He also attended the Governor's school for Russian and says language has always come easily to him.
During the show, John Warren of the Fincastle Herald jumped out of his seat in the auditorium to get a photo of Smith as Richman. He didn't just want it for the newspaper.
``I think he's really going to be somebody some day,'' he said.
That sort of goes without saying around Lord Botetourt.
Smith ranks fourth in a class of 200 students and will enter Roanoke College in the fall in its honors program.
If there's an activity, he's involved: National Honor Society, H.O.P.E. (Help Our Planet Earth), Forensics, Drama Club.
For his honors independent studies project, Smith wrote a play about AIDS.
He closed the talent show as Linda, informing the student body that the disease is spreading faster among teen-agers and women than in any other population. He implored students to be safe.
``Today, ignorance can mean death. So don't be stupid.''
Smith as Richman got a rousing ovation.
Smith says college was never a question growing up in his family. And it was always understood that when it came time to go, you were going to have to find a way to pay for it.
Smith has already raised $17,000 of the $19,500 first year's tuition, mostly in scholarships.
He's hoping his impersonation of Linda will help him get a $500 drama scholarship he's already applied for.
He's not quite sure where he finds the chutzpah to dress up in drag and play a middle-aged Jewish woman in front of his entire high school.
``I do think Linda is the funniest thing Mike Myers has ever done on `Saturday Night Live,''' he said.
He admits he was nervous when he mounted that stage wearing his mother's bra and red lipstick.
``Like anyone else, I am totally plagued by self-inadequacies,'' Smith said. ``But the secret is the wig.
``When I put on that hair, I AM Linda.''
He's not quite sure what he's going to major in at Roanoke College, but he does know it won't be drama, although he does plan to participate in the drama club for fun.
As Linda had said earlier, ``You've got to have something more going on upstairs besides hairspray.''
by CNB