Whiz Kids: All the World's a Stage for Montgomery Sisters

Life has been a little bit hectic for the Martin family lately.

Currently, Montgomery sisters Savannah, 18, Sarah, 15, and Sammie, 11, are participating in the Christian Youth Theater’s production of Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr., which means schedules revolve mainly around rehearsals and homework.

“It’s very crazy, but because they all do it together makes it so much easier,” said their mother, Ann Martin.

The Christian Youth Theater is an after-school theater arts education program for kids ages 4 to 18.

Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr takes audiences through a series of songs and lessons in everything from social studies to mathematics. The play revolves around Tom, a nerve-wracked school teacher trying to relax before his first night at a new school.

Various characters representing facets of his personality then emerge from his television set and show him how to win his students over with imagination and music, through such beloved Schoolhouse Rock songs as Just A Bill, Interplanet Janet and Conjunction Junction.

Sammie plays the role of a Brainiac in the production. When she’s not performing in CYT plays, the homeschooler enjoys her English classes the best.

“I like to do the writing assignments and writing stories,” she said.

Both Sarah and Savannah have Jivin' Genius roles in the production. Sarah has participated in more than 10 CYT productions. What she enjoys most about being involved in the organization are the friendships she’s made.

“There are a lot of cool people in it,” she said.

Savannah is in her sixth year of performing in CYT productions. Her favorite part about this particular show?

“I like to dance—tap dance is my favorite, and this show has tap dance numbers,” she said.

While she doesn’t plan on making acting her main career, she would “like to keep doing it on the side for fun.”

Besides participating in the current production, Savannah is taking theater classes at the College of DuPage and working as an aid in some of the classes at CYT. Next year she hopes to be able to teach at CYT.

She also enjoys the relationships she’s made through CYT.

“We’re kind of like a big family,” she said.

Ann Martin said her daughters do about three shows a year.

“The kids (in CYT) are a great group,” she said. “They all love one another and have really developed such a unity.”

She also enjoys watching her daughters perform.

“It’s a blast to watch my girls up there and get to shine and show their talents,” she said.

“Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr” runs through Nov. 20, in the Performing Arts Center, 1525 Harvey Road.

Showtimes are 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18; 2 and 6 p.m. p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20. The show runs about two hours with one intermission, and is fun for all ages.

Advance ticket sales are $12 for adults, and $9 for children ages 2 to 17, seniors, and groups of 15 or more. Ticket sales at the door are $14 for adults, and $11 for children ages 2 to 17, seniors, and groups of 15 or more.

For more information about the production, call  (847) 516-2298 or visit www.cytchicago.org.