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Call From Tomlin Cheers CHS Drama Players

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By TONY MARRERO Hernando Today

The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 4, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - Central High School's drama department got some bad news this week.

The school learned that it likely won't get the chance to compete in a statewide contest of high school theater productions for a chance to perform in April at the Florida State Thespian Festival.

Then Lily Tomlin called and things brightened quickly.

Well, it wasn't Tomlin herself. But the actor and comedian's assistant in California read a Hernando Today story online Monday about the school's production of "The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe."

Tomlin won a Tony award in 1985 for her performance of the one-woman play written by Jane Wagner. Tomlin plays a dozen characters in the story of a delusional bag lady who believes she's been tasked to give aliens a sampling of life on Earth.

Central is presenting the show today and tomorrow at 7 p.m. in the school's auditorium.

The department is divvying the roles up between six actors. Tomlin's assistant called Linda Bailey, the school's drama director, on Monday to say Tomlin was intrigued by the story and wanted to invite the girls to her upcoming stand-up show in Tampa.

"She thought it was really dear that we were doing it," Bailey said.

"It's so wonderful, I can't even stop smiling," said Lyani Smalley a 17-year-old senior who plays Edie, the most militant of three feminist friends, and Chrissy, an upwardly mobile yuppie.

Tomlin's assistant told Bailey she would leave tickets and backstage passes for the cast and crew to the Feb. 14 show at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.

The center happens to be where the thespian festival will be held two months later. The Central students hoped the event, attended by thousands of theater lovers from throughout the state, would be a chance for them to perform their show in front of large crowds.

But the roster is full, Bailey has been told, and a judge won't be coming to the show.

"It was a bitter pill," Bailey said.

But backstage face time with Tomlin is more than a consolation prize, Bailey and the actors said.

Jordan Koenig, a senior who plays the somber teenager Agnus Angst, said she has a feeling the actors will want to give Tomlin a taste of their interpretation of "Signs."

"I'd love to show her what with we've done with her piece," Koenig said.

If You Go

WHAT: Central High School's production of "The Search For Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe."

WHEN: 7 p.m. today and Friday. No Saturday showing.

WHERE: Central's auditorium, 14075 Ken Austin Parkway, Brooksville.

ADMISSION: $4 adults, $2 for students, faculty and staff; Children younger than 12 admitted free.

CONTACT: Linda Bailey, 797-7020, Ext. 221.

Reporter Tony Marrero can be reached at 352-544-5286 or lmarrero@hernandotoday.com.

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