THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 15, 1994 TAG: 9412140165
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FRANKLIN LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
Petrina Jones is a living doll - Raggedy Ann, to be exact. She, her partner and their friends will perform Sunday at 2 p.m. at Franklin High School in a Theatre IV Family Playhouse production.
The friends are a fascinating lot: Prince Leonard the Looney-Hearted, Mr. Greedy, Lester and Suzy Pincushion, Mademoiselle Babette, The Camel With the Wrinkled Knees.
Those ``Raggedy Ann & Andy'' folks live in Looney Land. Don't look for it on a map - look for it in your imagination.
It is a land of good-natured fun and make-believe, a world Jones enjoys - children, too.
``I'm particularly interested in kids. Theater can influence them and bring happiness into their lives,'' she said. ``Maybe they have something wrong at home. We can take 'em for an hour, give them an escape so they can walk away with a good feeling.''
``I really enjoy performing. I try to instill a message, or a feeling, that helps people. I'm not looking for fame, just a good job that pays well enough to live on, one that's influential and has a purpose. It's not just for the glory of performing.''
Jones, 23, is a Garrett County, Md., native and has been performing since childhood.
``When I was little, I sang in talent shows, usually pop songs. Theatre IV auditioned me at the Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester.''
Jones, who has a bachelor's degree in musical theater, is in her third show with the Theatre IV group.
``They've all been kids' shows. We can audition for any show. They give you a choice of different parts,'' she said. ``I didn't choose to be Pinocchio. I got the role because I'm kind of a small person.''
About 5-foot-2.
Jones' other Theatre IV performance was as the princess in ``Golden Goose.''
She and the Raggedy Ann crew have performed in Virginia, Florida, Alabama - ``most of the South,'' she said, ``and a week on Staten Island and Long Island.''
By this time she has developed a kinship with her character. There are common bonds.
``I feel like Raggedy Ann is very caring for everyone in the world - dolls and all. She wants to help people. I'm like her in that respect.'' Jones says she learned compassion and survival from her parents.
``My dad's a very kind man. I learned a lot from him. My mom's very strong. I learned survival in this business from her.''
One of Jones' ambitions is to be a leading lady in an adult musical, preferably ``Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.''
``I did it in Shenandoah, but I was Mrs. Perkins - a little old lady.''
There's that size thing again.
Here is Jones' favorite ``Raggedy Ann & Andy'' quote: ``Above the darkest clouds the sun is bright and warm and the gleaming of the rainbow will follow every storm.'' MEMO: Theatre IV Family Playhouse presents ``Raggedy Ann & Andy'' at 2 p.m.
Sunday in the Franklin High School auditorium. The production is
presented in association with the Paul D. Camp Community College Office
of Community and Continuing Education, the Franklin Kiwanis and the
PDCCC Circle K Club with support from the Camp Family Foundations.
Tickets are available for $5 by calling 569-6790. They are also
available at the door.
ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Petrina Jones, left, and Robert Fox portray Raggedy Ann and Andy in
a Theatre IV Family Playhouse production at 2 p.m. Sunday at
Franklin High School.
by CNB