Leavengood's 'Lourdes of the Flies' Delivers Youthful, Comic Raunch

ST. PETERSBURG – It's the countdown to opening night at the Palladium Theater. The "Lourdes of the Flies" dress rehearsal is a flurry of activity.

William Leavengood, director and writer of "Lourdes," arrives early with an armful of rolled, beach mats. Leavengood is an award-winning director and writer, as well as Theater Director at Shorecrest Preparatory School.

"Lourdes of the Flies" is his latest production.

It's a twisted, humorous tale of a shipwrecked group of college prep kids. New leaders emerge, as the kids have to learn to live on the island, either by clinging or ditching their real life cliques.

The play is rated PG-13, for humor, smoking and drinking and sexual situations. "It's a bedroom farce for teenagers and 20-somethings," said Leavengood.

The play had some turns in its creation.

"It took longer to write, considering how long I usually write. For three years, I thought it'd be a musical. My one collaborator wrote one song. It was a great song, but he couldn't come up with more," said Leavengood.

Leavengood scrapped the musical idea and created a bold, raunchy story for teens and young adults. He knew it would never be approved as a high school production.

"It's too bawdy, too strange, too over-the-top, too sexual," said Leavengood.

He approached the Palladium Theater, which was interested. The production is presented by the theater, the Beth Morean Trust and Will Knot Di Productions, which is Leavengood and his wife's company.

The cast includes local high school and college actors, ages 15 to 23. It's a mixture of new theater majors and those with substantial credits and awards.  The actors attend Gibb's PCCA, Shorecrest Preparatory and the University of Tampa.

The unique, double casting helps the production. "It's the only way we could pull this off with this many characters," said Leavengood.

Almost Curtain Time

The set comes alive as the actors arrive, get dressed and check on props.

"Hey, guys, we're being interviewed on the radio on Friday. Can you meet me at 3:00? We'll drive over to Tampa. They want us to do part of a scene," said Leavengood.

"Friday? Hold on a minute," said Isabella Menna, temporarily putting her cell phone caller on hold.

"Yeah, I can do that. I have your class on Friday," said Menna.

"Check with the counselor. But we can leave from school if you can come," said Leavengood.

"This is so exciting," said Menna, as she runs to get dressed for rehearsal. "What am I going to wear?"

"Uh, you won't be seen," said Leavengood. "It's radio."

Leavengood jokes with cast members while calling out instructions, questions and sound checks. "You know how you thought the storm sounds weren't working. I have thunder sounds I think will work. It's thunder at the beginning, coming from the back," said Josh Wykell, Paladium light and sound operator.

"Thunder and wind would be great," said Leavengood. "Sorry to throw wind at you."

Alexander McGreevy, dressed in a blue college prep jacket and blue pants, walks through the set with a container of his homemade candy.

"Oreo balls. Do you want one?" he extends the jar toward waiting hands.

Laughter greets actor Michael Vestergaard, as he transforms from Shorecrest Prep student to red-headed Mrs. Clincher, the ornery and closet bisexual headmistress.

Leavengood runs a fun set with quiet professionalism. It's obvious the actors respect him, and they mention their appreciation in landing a part in his production.

"I love the kids. I have a great job, and I love my students. I'm privileged to work at Shorescrest and in theater because the kids want to be there," said Leavengood.

It's only the middle part of Leavengood's packed full day. He runs from teaching at Shorecrest to private acting lessons after school and ends the night with a four-hour rehearsal each night.

Leavengood is also preparing for the upcoming New York opening of his play, "Special."

It is based on the experiences of Florida special education teacher  Mary Tilford and visual artist Michelle Lorrie Feulner-Castro. The play paints a realistic look at two women struggling with the meaning of life for people with developmental disabilities.

Leavengood continues to set up and checks on the actors, set design and sound.

"Yeah, I like that one," said Leavengood, approving a track of thunder of wind.

What does Leavengood want for audiences of the  "Lourdes of the Flies"?

"I hope they have a ball. It's a late night romp. No punches are pulled," said Leavengood.

"A handful of people may find some things in bad taste, and I hope they do," said Leavengood with a slight grin.

If you go

”Lourdes of the Flies” opens Friday and will run consecutive weekends to Sept. 4. Tonight's show is soldout. There is no show on Aug. 27.

For ticket information, visit The Palladium Theater website.

Sun Cast
Lourdes: Patricia Yeazell
Hanna: Victoria Williams
Simmons: Isabella Menna
Tess: Holly Weber
Clincher: Michael Vestergaard
Billy: Alexander McGreevy
Vita: Anastasia Cobb
Natalie: Tamara Austin
Brons: Garrett Schulte 

Sea Cast
Lourdes: Laura Peterson
Hanna: Franci Holland
Simmons: Madeleine Murphy
Tess: Holly Weber
Clincher: Michael Vestergaard
Billy: Alexander McGreevy
Vita: Brandy Shea
Natalie: Alexandria Crawford
Brons: Griffith Whitehurst