Madison Messenger - July 18th, 2021

PAGE 6 - MADISON MESSENGER - July 18, 2021
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Enjoy live theatre at Plays in the Park
By Kristy Zurbrick
Madison Editor
Now in its third year, the PC Trinity
Theatre Co. has officially joined hands with
the village of Plain City to present Plays in
the Park. “My Legacy Robe,” the first of two
productions planned for this summer, is set
for July 23-24. Shows are at 7 p.m. at Pastime
Park. Admission is free.
Led by three 2018 Jonathan Alder High
School graduates, the PC Trinity Theatre
Co. strives to provide opportunities for
young actors and entertainment for the
community.
Danny Rodriguez Hijo is the project
leader, providing acting direction and handling
advertising and communication.
Grayson Abend, the music director, writes
music and conducts the orchestra when live
music is incorporated into a show. He also
helps with acting direction. Ryan Gutierrez
heads up set conception and construction
and all things technical.
“We’ve been friends since junior high and
high school and were in productions together,”
Rodriguez Hijo said. “After high
school, we wanted a way to work together
and provide the arts and experiences we
have fond remembrances of to the community.”
From their first play in 2019 to an original
parody musical last year to this year’s
play and variety show offerings, the trio has
put middle school, high school, and young
adult actors in the spotlight. The majority
of the participants come from Plain City.
Some have been members of the Jonathan
Alder Junior High drama club, a program
Rodriguez Hijo has headed up since 2014.
Some have performed in high school productions.
A handful are trying theater for the
first time.
The all-female cast of “My Legacy Robe”
features seven students in grades 5-8: Dani
Berger, Ella Harrell, Ally Oross, Avery
Oross, Leah Polsinelli, and Ella Polston.
Written by Tim Kelly and performed
since the 1950s, the play—a short one at 30
minutes long—is set backstage at a show
that’s about to premier on Broadway. Each
of the actresses is coping with the premier
in her own way. Some are successful veterans,
some aren’t, and some are brand new
to the experience.
“It’s about how they are co-existing and
how they are bringing each other up to take
on Broadway,” Rodriguez Hijo said.
Since auditions in mid-May, the cast has
been rehearsing twice a week at the park.
Rodriguez Hijo is happy with the progress.
“The material came more naturally to
them than I first expected. It’s been very
good to see how they have developed with
it,” he said.
Danny Rodriguez Hijo (center), project leader for the PC Trinity Theatre Co., works
with Leah Polsinelli and Dani Berger on a scene from “My Legacy Robe.” The show
is set for 7 p.m. July 23-24 at Pastime Park in Plain City.
Next up is the “COVID Cabaret,” a variety
show of sorts scheduled for 7 p.m. July
30-31, featuring middle school- and high
school-aged actors. Short plays and vocal
music performances are planned.
Rodriguez Hijo has written three original
plays for the show—“Frame of Mind” about
a man learning to cope with losing loved
ones; “Dysphoria” about a soul trying to
take care of themselves; and “Sweet Paralysis”
about two demons failing at making a
nightmare for a child.
Abend wrote and composed a vocal duet,
“Roads,” which Ellyse Tillyer and Millia
Runkle will perform. Abend will provide accompaniment.
Additionally, Brea West will
play guitar and sing “Fever” by Elvis Presley.
Others performing in “COVID Caberet”
are Jacob Cameron, Annalise Caouette, Ava
Riddlebaugh, Olivia Riddlebaugh, and
Vanora Vowell.
For more information about the PC Trinity
Theatre Co., call (614) 259-8120, find
them on Facebook (The PC Trinity Theatre
Company), or follow them on Instagram
(@trinitytheatreco).
Summer Crisis Program
The Ohio Development Services Agency
and Bridges Community Action Partnership
are helping income-eligible Ohioans stay
cool during the hot summer months. The
Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis
Program provides assistance with paying
electric bills and paying for central air conditioning
repairs. The program runs
through Sept. 30.
To apply, clients must schedule an appointment
with Bridges Community Action
Partnership by calling (740) 852-3511.
Clients need to bring copies of the following
documents to their appointment:
• most recent energy bills;
• a list of all household members and
proof of income for the last 30 days or 12
months for each member;
• proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency
for all household members;
• proof of disability (if applicable);
• physician documentation that cooling
assistance is needed for a household member’s
health (if there isn’t a household member
over the age of 60).
The Summer Crisis Program assists lowincome
households with an older household
member (60 years or older) that can provide
physician documentation that cooling assistance
is needed for a household member's
health, have been diagnosed with COVID-
19, have a disconnect notice, have been shut
off, are trying to establish new service on
their electric bill, or require air conditioning.
Conditions can include such things as
lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease, or asthma.
For more information, call (740) 852-
3511. To be connected to your local energy
assistance provider, call (800)282-0880
(hearing impaired clients may dial 711 for
assistance), or visit
www.energyhelp.ohio.gov.