By Jean Braithwaite
tribune correspondent

Alex McDonald has a vision of seeing every seat filled at the Larenim Park Amphitheater when he presents the first musical production to take place in the outdoor setting for many years on Saturday, Oct. 17.
He recently visited the amphitheater on a return visit to his home from a practice session at the McCoy Theater in Moorefield.
McDonald was accompanied on the visit by David Zimmernam, also involved with the Moorefield theater as a stage manager.
“I bragged to David about Larenim Park, and what we saw was a shame,” McDonald said.
Finding the area in great disrepair, McDonald couldn’t believe the condition of the amphitheater and surroundings.
“This is where I spent three summers building childhood memories by taking part in productions,” he said.
Mentioning the weeds were overgrown and part of the walls were falling over, McDonald knew right then that something had to be done, and an idea was born to “repair the amphitheater and bring back the outdoor theater to the way it was in 1985 to 1995.”
His first step toward that goal was to contact Mineral County Commissioner Cindy Pyles, whom McDonald knew from her being a substitute teacher at his school at Frankfort High and also as part of the board of the Mineral County Parks and Recreation.
“She assisted in getting things going.” McDonald stated, in addition to “receiving a blessing from the Apple Alley Players,” the organization that was responsible for numerous musicals at Larenim Park.
Starting with $800 of his own money, earned from a job, McDonald said his original musical “Saving Larenim One Step at a Time” is well underway to being presented “giving the audience the feel of walking on the streets of New York” only because of the help of 30 friends who will be part of the production.
Giving acknowledgment to his grandmother, Cindi Linn of Fort Ashby, he pointed out, “She has been my encouragement concerning the theater since I was 6 years old,” adding that she is helping him with the publicity for the upcoming musical.
“Dr. John Hawkins, of Potomac State College, is also very supportive of what I am doing at Larenim Park,” he said.
Zimmerman has been working side-by-side with McDonald as the stage manager at the outdoor theater. “I want to see the amphitheater rebuilt,” he said, expressing gratitude to his dad, Tim Zimmerman, and to Chris Zollman for using hammers, nails, and other tools to make the area ready for the musical.
McDonald said about the presentation, “The show will be phenomenal,” and will be complete with professional lighting by Rusty Godwin, who has worked for such greats as Kenny Chesney and Toby Keith.
“An outstanding segment of the show will feature the Chorus of the Potomac, a group of 25 men from the Cumberland area” McDonald said.
The one-show-only presentation will take place at 8 p.m., and McDonald will serve as master of ceremonies, along with co-host Cati Smith.
Tickets are available at Linda’s Hallmark Shop, Keyser, and Cindi’s Restaurant, Fort Ashby, or by calling McDonald at (301-697-6339.
Tickets may also be purchased at the gate and the cost is $10 for adults and $8 for students.
McDonald emphasized there is plenty of parking, concessions will be sold, and a 50/50 raffle will take place.
He urged those attending the musical to wear warm clothing or bring a blanket.
Proceeds from ticket sales will be used for repair work on the amphitheater.
The rain date for “Saving Larenim One Song at a Time” is set for Sunday, Oct. 18.
McDonald is the school president at FHS and is involved with musical productions at PSC and McCoy Theater, but that busy schedule does not prevent him from making plans for what he anticipates will happen at Larenim Park in 2010.
“Next July, I want to have a big production of a musical, plus during the summer have a Woodstock Tribute,” he said.
Saying Larenim Park is the perfect area to have outdoor concerts, McDonald stated, “This place could be packed every Saturday night.”