Roanoke Children’s Theatre’s “Eric and Elliot” stages public performance Friday at Radford High School (UPDATE: Performance CANCELED)

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Roanoke Children’s Theatre’s “Eric and Elliot” stages public performance Friday at Radford High School (UPDATE: Performance CANCELED)

UPDATE: The show has been canceled. A new date has not been set.

UPDATE: The performance now takes place Friday, Jan. 18, in anticipation of today’s bad weather. I received the following note from Lucinda Piro:

Thank you so much for your help in getting the word out about “Eric and Elliot”, the play I’m bringing to Radford High School from Roanoke Children’s Theatre. Because of the Roanoke Times and ‘burg coverage, I had indication that we were going to have a good crowd. Due to the weather report, in consultation with the RCT and Radford HIgh’s principal, we are moving the show to Friday, Jan. 18 at 7:30.

From Sunday’s column:

Lucinda McDermott Piro, a writer, teacher and actress in Radford, recently saw Roanoke Children’s Theatre’s touring production of “Eric & Elliot,” a play that tackles weighty issues such as depression and teen suicide, at Hidden Valley High School in Roanoke County.

She saw the play in part for the same reason any parent would — her son, Dante, 16, plays one of the main roles. Yet she was so impressed with the script written by Dwayne Hartford and the way the play delivers its message that she conducted a successful $600 fundraiser to bring “Eric & Elliot” to the Radford High School auditorium. “I felt that it was crucial to bring it to the New River Valley,” she said.

The free performance, which is open to the public, takes place at 7 p.m. Thursday.

“Eric and Elliot” is recommended for students in grades 6 through 12 and their parents or guardians. There will be an hour-long talkback with mental health professionals after the play ends. Piro said the play shouldn’t just be seen by those coping with depression.

“This play will help your kids who are fine be a better peer to a friend who is struggling.”

For more information, call 239-3026.

RCT’s regular season performances of “Eric & Elliot” take place Feb. 28 to March 3 at the Taubman Theatre in the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke. Tickets are $18, children 3-18 and senior citizens $12. For more information, call 309-6802 or visit roanokechildrenstheatre.org.