"Cyra and Rocky" is a play by Cherie Bennett, gently adapted from the classic, "Cyrano
de Bergerac" by Edmund Rostand. Cherie has written several series of teen novels including
the "Sunset Island" and "Teen Angel" series. She has also written other plays,
including "Anne Frank and Me" and "John Lennon and Me". The latter was the first
choice of West Nebraska Arts Center's executive director, Susan Selvey, but it was already in
contract to Jane Seymour's (Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman) production company. "Anne Frank
and Me" was premiering at the Jewish Theater in New York, so Susan asked if they would consider
premiering "Cyra and Rocky" in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Cherie's husband, her agent, thought
it was a great idea, and so we were chosen to world premiere this play because our theater is so
dedicated to children's theater.
Cyra Berger, a funny, sensitive, witty, intelligent, skater chick, (age 14-15),
is best friends with Chrissy Neuville, a clumsy, flighty, pretty cheerleader who
can never think of the right things to say to guys. They both live in Nashville,
Tennessee. Chrissy becomes pen pals with a boy from Michigan named Rocky (Rockland)
Robinson as a class project. At first, she writes to him because it's assigned
homework, but as they grow older, one day they are told to send pictures to each
other. Chrissy's heart flips when she receives Rocky's picture and sees how cute
he is, and vice versa. Chrissy begs Cyra to write her letters for her, and so she
does. Rocky is an intelligent skater dude who likes poetry like "Invictus".
Cyra consents to write her letters and lets herself be carried away with fooling
this guy. When Rocky and his cousin Brett come from Michigan to visit, Chrissy
starts to panic. Cyra is cool, calm and collected until she meets Rocky and falls
totally in love, but she could never betray her best friend, so she keeps it to herself.
In the end, Cyra and Rocky finally find where their love lies, and Chrissy helps
them to realize it. The theme song of the play is "Hold My Hand" by Hootie
and the Blowfish.
The Scottsbluff, Nebraska Cast of "Cyra and Rocky"
Cyra Berger was portrayed by 16 year old Melissa Saito of Scottsbluff, Nebraska (she is now 19 and a resident of Los Angeles, California).
Chrissy Neuville was portrayed by 14 year old
Lindy Inman of Scottsbluff, Nebraska
(she is now 17 and a resident of Denver, Colorado). Rocky Robinson was portrayed by 14 year old
David Broderick of Scottsbluff, Nebraska (he is now 17). Last but not least, Brett Babbit was
portrayed by 12 year old Scott Harvey of Mitchell, Nebraska (he is now 16). The play was directed
by Susan Selvey, set designed and constructed by Bill Gool, and lighting also done
by Bill Gool. At the time of the play, Melissa Saito attended Gering Christian Academy, Lindy Inman was
home-schooled, David Broderick attended Bluffs Middle School, and Scott Harvey attended Haig School. Saito is now between colleges, Inman is teaching children in Russia, Broderick is a junior at Scottsbluff High School and so is Harvey.
