Local Teens Take to the Stage 7/16 for Leukemia Foundation

Local teenagers involved with Act Too Players, a youth theatre program, have organized and put together a showcase of Disney songs with 100 percent of the proceeds going to support the Leukemia Foundation.

The show will feature members of the Act Too Players, ages ranging from 8 to 17, performing classic songs from Disney movies such as 101 Dalmatians, Pocahontas, and Peter Pan as well as recent movies such as Tangled and High School Musical.

"Seventeen-year-old Virginia Lodholz has been one of the primary organizers of this show" explains Sondra Morton, Theatre Arts Director for Act Too Players. "Ginny approached me a year ago about doing Coffee Houses at the Boiler Room Theatre and of course I said yes! At that time the Boiler Room Theatre was in a bit of a financial struggle so the proceeds went to support the Boiler Room. 

"However, this year we discussed supporting a charity organization. At Act Too Players one of our eight-year-old students, Tanner, has been battling leukemia. Tanner is a delightful and very talented child who brings an incredible amount of energy to each class!  Everyone here, teachers and students alike, enjoy being around Tanner."

Tanner is currently undergoing aggressive chemotherapy treatments. This year's coffee house, Disney On Stage, will donate all proceeds to the Leukemia foundation in support of Tanner and her family.

Tanner's mother, Beth stated, "I'm so thankful for Act Too doing this. My daughter, Tanner is an Act Tooer and has been battling leukemia for the past two years. Leukemia is the most common cancer type in children and treatment is long and grueling. Act Too has been such a refuge for Tanner... a place where there is no cancer... just songs and dancing and people that she loves."

The show will take place on Saturday, July 16 at 2 p.m. at the Boiler Room Theatre at the Factory in Franklin. Suggested donations are $12 for adults, $10 for children 12 and under.

Two silent auction baskets along with cupcakes will also be sold at the show. "Bring your families out to experience the wonderful world of Disney right here at the Boiler Room Theatre at the Factory in Franklin," Morton says.

All proceeds will go to the Leukemia Foundation.