Plains students perform "Penny Candy" for crowd

PLAINS – A cast of Plains students hit the stage both Friday and Saturday night bringing to life the story of “Penny Candy.”

The play focused on a group of teenagers who grew up together and whose families worked together in Abbott’s factory. Set in 1952 in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, 16-year-old Neeley Cole, played by Douglas Damschen, struggled in the shadow of his admired older brother who was serving his country in Korea.

Playing the go-between, Neeley was recruited to deliver secret love letters to Emily Abbot, played by Rachel Knight despite the fact that Aidan’s long-term girlfriend Regina Miller, played by Tanna Cole was still in the picture.

Caught in a love triangle, the two girls continued to both receive letters and both express their undying love for Aidan. With the feud slowly coming to the foreground, the two girls turned against each other and caused a big brawl during the St. Sebastian Dance.

Betty Eustis, played by Shayna Burgess, who did not speak throughout the play due to her stutter, finally spoke up and gave the ruffled up teens some words of advice – cherish each other.

Taken place in the time of McCarthyism, the kids spread rumors of other families being communist in order to help further themselves.

After the factory workers went on strike, worry spread through the teens as some of their parents were deemed communists for joining the union.

Through the struggle and fear of the McCarthy era, the teens pull it together at the end of the play.

After the scandal of the love triangle is released, the two girls both decide to let go of player Aidan Cole who is played by Alan Ihms who returns at the end of the play, safe from harms way.

Other cast members included Lindy Cole played by Teija Gill, Mary Lee Eustis played by Rachel Worral, Sara Eustis played by Ashlynn Meckler, Richard Miller played by Daniel Damschen, Claire Miller played by Keira Gill, and the St. Stephen’s wrestler played by Fame Lopez who was in charge of spiking the punch at the dance, creating quite the scene of ruffled up performers.

The behind the scenes crew was hard at work switching out sets and making sure everything was good to go.

Isabell Richards was in charge of lights and sound, Hanna Knight took care of hair, make-up and costumes and graduating senior Kendall Knight also helped out behind the scenes.

Terri Henry directed the play and Cathy Emmett was the assistant director.

Overall, Emmett said the play went well. The kids had six weeks to prepare for the showing and a new batch of kiddos is expected for next year.

“We have a new crew coming up and it’s awesome. Hopefully they stay with it because by the time they’re seniors, they are going to be amazing,” said Emmett.