This summer, the Thurmont Thespians are tackling a world premiere for their annual teen theatre musical. Kurt Johnson of Waynesboro has written and composed a rollicking musical entitled Teenages, in which a young man who is just sleeping and lazing his days away gets caught up in a scheme to rob the local hardware store. The repercussions of this, as one would expect, fast and furious as the characters of Good and Temptation vie for his attention. The Jury gets involved in the outcome as secrets of the past come to light. Kurt is an accomplished composer and has composed the music for both Thurmont Thespians past productions of Winnie the Pooh and Charlotte’s Web.

Twenty-two youngsters will be seen on stage at the Edwin C. Creeger American Legion in Thurmont on July 20, 21, 22 and 23 and then again July 27, 28, 29, and 30. The Legion will ring with the music of Big Box Blues and Straight and Narrow.

Kurt and Mary Beth Johnson’s three daughters, Sarah, Emily and Rachel, are all in the musical making this very much a family affair. Matthew and Nathan Fox of Thurmont are also appearing, as well as Bridie and Maura Winston of Thurmont and Thurmont Thespians newcomer Megan Davis of Thurmont. Sean and Angel Collins of Frederick, Becky Sees and Lilah Moss of Frederick also commute to appear in the production.

Jimmy Brown of Waynesboro, Pa. will play the hapless Jay, who is assailed by Good and Temptation at every turn, while Sean Collins, Matt Fox and Sarah Johnson do their best to lead him astray. Elijah Miller is coming again this year from Florida and appears as hardware store owner Ben Hopkins. Becca Corbell of Fairfield plays Jay’s girlfriend who is trying to get him straightened out aided by her friends played by Ashley Russo and Shelby Ledger. Rounding out the cast are Thurmont Thespian veterans Kim Krouse, Heather Kokoski, Rachel Burkhardt, Ben Mathis, Cody Lowe and Elaine Schray. Once again, this is an ensemble piece where most of the youngsters play multiple roles

The production is directed by Beth Royer Watson with Eileen Winston as musical director and Jennifer Buchheister as choreographer. The return of Mary Lou Royer to the Thurmont area will be a boon to the production and the Thurmont Thespians. She will do the costuming, as well as helping with the set decoration and coordination. Becky Carpenter of Thurmont is stage manager.

The Thurmont Thespians is a community outreach group of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Thurmont. The group offers to teach all phases of theatre to any youngsters who sign up and promises each of them an on-stage role. In the world of larger and larger schools, it is very difficult to get a chance to appear on-stage without prior stage experience and the Thespians hope to fill this gap for today’s young people. The participants will also display their own artwork in the lobby in an on-going plan to include visual arts with theatre presentation.

As in the past, any profits from the production of this play will be donated to a local charity. This year the Thespians have decided to join with the American Legion in sponsoring Boy’s Camp participants at Camp Westmar in Foxville. This program enables local boys ages 9 to 12 to go to the 75-acre Legion camp in Foxville for two weeks of nature lore, patriotism, and nondenominational services sponsored by the local American Legion in Thurmont. The camp services Carroll, Frederick and Washington counties in Maryland.

Reservations for "Teenages" may be made by calling Becky Urian at 301-271-7613. Ticket prices are $7.00 for Thursday evenings and Sunday matinees and $10.00 for both Friday and Saturday nights.