Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 15, 1995 TAG: 9506160007
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MAURICE A. WILLIAMS III STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
If you do, you can reminisce while those who don't can learn during Grandin Court Baptist Church's "Let's Go to the Rock," a '50s dinner theater next week.
The performance will feature variety show acts from popular television shows such as "Happy Days" complete with a soda shop menu.
The church's youth and their friends make up the cast for the production, which is part of the church's 50th anniversary celebration.
"It's a way the youth of the church are involved in the celebration of it's 50th anniversary," said Margaret T. Harding, minister of education, youth and administration. "The message is that Jesus is still the rock, and he will always be there for us."
Organizers also hope to raise enough money to finance a trip next year to Centrifuge, a Christian youth camp in North Carolina. Eventually, they plan to take the musical on the road.
"Were hoping to use it as an outreach project," Harding said.
Although the dinner theater's cast is the church's youth, their parents and other adults are working behind the scenes on props, choreography, costumes and other areas.
"There's a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes that people don't realize," said Chris Obenshain, who in addition to acting, works on the publicity committee making posters and fliers. His parents are on the ticket sales and costume committees.
Obenshain said he has learned much and wouldn't mind living in the 1950s.
"I think the 50s were a great time. I like the music. It sends a message in kind of a fun way," she said.
Jennie Fields said she has enjoyed working with her parents. "It has improved our relationship," Fields said.
Although her parents were born during the '50s, Fields said she has learned that they had similar experiences in their youth.
"Now I know the advice they give is right because they've been through the same thing. Before this, I thought they were totally oblivious to what I was going through," she said. "I didn't think they understood."
Fields' father, Peter, who is working on the theater's props, agrees. "I think it does bridge that generation gap that seems to exist. It's getting us closer together," he said.
Harding said the youth have worked hard to prepare for the theater. "It gives me a good feeling. There are so many other alternatives that they could choose," she said.
Participants agree that the 1950s were an easier time than today.
"There's less confusion. You don't have to think about as much stuff," said Cris Schoonover, 17.
Don Blackburn spent the 1950s in college and the Army. He said the performance serves as a history lesson for the youth. "This is the first time that they had a chance to think about how people lived in the '50s. The '50s were carefree; the people were carefree," said Blackburn, who assisted with props and also lent his record collection.
"I've got hundreds of '50s records I forgot I even had."
Organizers are asking the audience to come dressed in a [50s wardrobe. The cast will serve a 1950s menu complete with hamburgers, hot dogs and chocolate malts. There's even a jukebox.
Although a few props were built, Fields said the 1950s were recent enough to make the job fairly easy. "It should definitely be a time-travel event," he said. "I think there will be significant authenticity."
"Let's Go to the Rock" will be presented today and Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Grandin Court Baptist Church, 2660 Brambleton Avenue S.W. Admission is $7.50 for adult and $3.50 for Children 10 and under. The maximum family admission is $20. Pre-school care will be available. For more information, call 774-1684.
by CNB