Through music and comedy, the Clarkston Village Player’s Youth Theater production will take audiences back to 1950’s.
‘Nifty Fifties,? based on the book by Tim Kelly, takes place at Louise’s Lunchette in the days leading up the local school’s ‘Hippity Hop? dance. Drama abounds as different groups deal with multiple conflicts.
Edna (played by Jessica Waldman) is leaving her job as a waitress to move to Detroit and is replaced by the nervous Virginia (played by Brittani Fusco). Meanwhile, lunchette owner Mrs. Nicholas (played by Sarah Culp) wants to sell the place to a dry cleaning business.
This doesn’t stop Gracie (played by Angelique Walsh) from planning to hold the Hippity Hop at the diner, hoping to show up her arch-rival, the popular but snobby Muffin Mansfield (played by Alana Goeringer).
Gracie hopes she can convince her distant cousin Ziggy, the current teen idol, to come to town and perform by begging him backstage after a concert, but there are some who want to make sure Ziggy does nothing for free. Perhaps, Donald, the lunchette’s soda jerk, (played by Zac Rogers) can pull off a good enough impersonation to fool everyone.
The CVP Youth Theater program hosts an annual performance during the summer and is available to children and teens throughout the community. As part of the summer production, several youths are awarded the Pete Rose Arts Scholarship, which is completely funded by the Youth Theater. and goes toward further education. This year the scholarship was awarded to six students ? Jeffery Chaney, Gregory Davis, Kimberly Cook, Ashley Dasuqi and Lisa Wheeler from Clarkston High School and Camille Sylvestre from Notre Dame Prepartory.
Remaining performances of ‘Nifty Fifties? are scheduled for July 26-29. As of press-time, tickets are still available for the July 26-28 performances. Tickets are available by leaving a message on the Clarkston Village Players ticket line at 248-625-8811.Tickets may be purchased at the door the night of the performance; however, availability can not be assured.