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Play 'Lily' Is A Classic 1890s-Style Melodrama

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By JOYCE McKENZIE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 19, 2007

TEMPLE TERRACE - It's bound to stir up a flurry of emotions, sentiments that evoke an equal mix of hoorays and hisses.

So say the actors and organizers of 'Lily, the Felon's Daughter,' a classic 1890s-style melodrama that will be staged at Florida College on Friday and Saturday.

The play tells the story of a wholesome young heroine and her handsome but weak lover, who is being driven by the villain to do evil. His actions could ruin their dream for an everlasting life of happiness together.

'It's a sad but silly story,' said director Amanda Payne, a Florida College graduate and gifted resource instructor at Cahoon Elementary Magnet School in Tampa. 'It's quite funny at times, and it's just a great family-night-out type of play.'

The production depicts a time before sound amplification and spotlights, when cast members had to overly project their voices to be heard and exaggerate their gestures to be seen. In addition, makeup is wildly overdone so actors' facial features are easily visible to the audience.

Ralph Walker, Florida College's public relations director, came up with the idea.

'When I lived in Mississippi, I was involved in community theater and there always were melodramas,' he said. 'I loved it. So this year, when we were thinking in terms of a fundraiser for student scholarships, I thought, 'Why not make it fun?''

The cast, he said, features some of the college's staff and faculty members, as well as several alumni who were once active in Footlighters, the school's thespian group.

Lily, the heroine of the story, is portrayed by Miranda Nerland, an FC graduate and former employee who now works as an admissions coordinator for the University of South Florida School of Nursing.

'I'm really enjoying it,' said Nerland, who while in college was active with the theater group.

Doy Moyer, a professor of biblical studies at FC, plays the role of the villain.

'We're having a blast,' he said. 'Everything is so overplayed and overdone, but we're going to go out there and just have a lot of fun.'
Florida College music teacher Benjamin Payne, whose father, Buddy, is the college's vice president, has accepted the part of Lord Monty.

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849 or jmckenzie@tampatrib.com.

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