Student comedy skewers talk TV

Seventh graders at the Maryville Middle School are learning that there's no business like show business as they prepare for "Late Night with Rock Stone," a stage comedy that will be presented in the school's commons area at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 7.

The 20 or so members of the cast and crew — all students in Ashley Anderson's language arts class — have been readying for the performance since early January.

Though the play is an annual project, Anderson said this is the first time a class has attempted an evening performance. So she's hoping a good crowd of parents, classmates, teachers and other local residents will turn out for the free show.

"Late Nigh with Rock Stone" takes the form of a television variety show. The show is being "sabotaged" by producers and network executives who want to free up the time slot. So star Rock
Stone must deliver the performance of his life in order to save his job.

To that end, Stone books a wild line-up of guests including teen heartthrob "Justin Bieber" and the "best woman crocodile wrestler in Louisiana."

Anderson said the play calls for a lot of participation by the "studio" audience, so the evening's real audience will be asked to take part in a variety of ways, such as responding to cue cards and applause signals.