Teen fills another leading role in 'The Legend of Pocahontas'
When Shelby Hirschberg takes the stage Friday night, it will be her third time playing a leading role.
The 15-year-old from Elgin has taken the stage as Lucy in "Charlie Brown" and as Jasmine in "Aladdin." This week, she'll perform as Pocahontas in the Christian Youth Theatre's production of "The Legend of Pocahontas."
"It's really dramatically written," said Hirschberg, who began acting with the Christian Youth Theatre just over four years ago. "It's more historical."
"The Legend of Pocahontas" kicks off the Christian Youth Theatre's 2007-08 season in Kane County. The show opens to the public at 7 p.m. Friday at the Arcada Theatre in downtown St. Charles. Saturday performances are at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. The play closes with a Sunday performance at 2 p.m. The play features a cast of 73 young people from Kane County and surrounding areas. Cast members range in age from 8 to 18.
Though Pocahontas' story has been skewed throughout the years -- most notably in Disney's film -- cast members hope to paint a more accurate picture of her life.
"The thing I love about this story is it's an historical account," said director Priscilla Hummel of Chicago.
She hopes that people leave the play realizing how much of a difference one person can make.
"Anyone can have an impact on many people," she said. "You never know if you're going to impact perhaps a whole nation of people, just like Pocahontas did. Each of us should be encouraged to live our lives to the fullest knowing that we will be impacting people for the better or worse … but hopefully for the best."
Though Pocahontas does develop a friendship with John Smith, whom she saves from death, she ends up marrying John Rolfe, who she meets while she is held captive by the English. Pocahontas also sails off to England to live with Rolfe. And unlike the Disney film, Pocahontas dies at the end of the show from tuberculosis.
But perhaps most notable for the cast is Pocahontas' conversion to Christianity.
"It's really great that we are able to tell that story," Hummel said.
Though members are not required to be Christian to join the theater group, cast members and directors are encouraged to share their faith. Each rehearsal opens with prayer and worship and cast members say there is a special closeness in their group, Hirschberg said.
"There's no judgment," said John Link, a 13-year-old from Batavia who plays the role of John Rolfe. "Everyone's welcome and you have a lot of fun."
Cast members are encouraged in whatever part they get -- whether or not it's the lead role. Older cast members also are teamed up with younger cast members to help and encourage them.
"I think the Christian element helps temper some of that 'all about me' focus," said Hirschberg's mother, Debbie.
"There's a sense that we're doing this for a greater good," she said, adding that cast members also participate in service projects throughout the year.
Advance tickets to the show are $12 for adults and $9 for senior citizens and children ages 2 to 17. Tickets at the door are $14 for adults and $11 for senior citizens and children. Tickets to Saturday's 2 p.m. show are $8 in advance and $10 at the door.
To purchase tickets, visit www.cytchicago.org or call (847) 516-2298.