News : ACT 1 youngsters prepare for opening of \'Dear Edwina\' at Palace

The Chef (Kay Fett) ponders how to hurry to finish 65 place settings during 'Dear Edwina.'

'Dear Edwina:' Marjory Davis as Aphrodite sings about a brother who is a picky eater.

Dear Edwina: Kalie Burke as Lola helps sing about how to make friends by saying 'Hola.'

Katherine Seitz sings about saving money in 'Put it in the Piggy.'

The youngest ACT 1 performers are preparing for this weekend's performances of the comedy/musical "Dear Edwina, Jr."

Danica Heffernen of Urbana plays the lead role of Edwina Spoonapple, an aspiring advice columnist. She answers letters and joins her group of friends and performers in responding with songs of advice.

The students and their songs address many topics that teens can struggle with, like how to make friends ("Hola, Lola"), saving money ("Put it in the Piggy"), how to properly set the table ("Fork, Knife, Spoon") and many other issues.

The show takes place four times this weekend. There are 7 p.m. shows Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. performances Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are available at the door or the ACT 1 web site.

About the musical

Dear Edwina Jr. is about a thirteen-year old girl, Edwina Spoonapple, who longs to be an advice columnist. Every afternoon, she and her friends present an advice show in Edwina’s garage. Edwina and her friends answer her many letters for advice with snappy song and dance routines that address a variety of etiquette concerns.

Dear Edwina Jr. Cast

Edwina Spoonapple - Danica Heffernen

Becky - Macey Overturf

Scott - Austin Daugherty

Kelli - Brylee Bruce

Bobby - Colston Neilson

Lars Vanderploonk - Evan Smith

Billy Vanderploonk - Tucker Mensen

Cordell Vanderploonk - Eli Powers

Annie - Raeganne Neilson

Ensemble: Joey Anderson, Jacob Chase, Rickey Chase, Charlie Cooling, Maggie Davis, Kay Fett, Sage Holmes, Delaney McSweeney, Levi Mensen, Emma Midcalf, Olivia Midcalf, Lauren Paine, Autumn Sauer, Katherine Seitz, Molly Tschantz, Sydney Walvatne

Director: Steve Arnold

Assistant Director: Bonnie Beyer

Choreographer: Joan Cooling-Noeller

Stage Manager: Mitch Mensen

See more photos HERE.

See the performance program, with short bios of the performers HERE.