by Marcy Horst

August of 1996 was a lucky month for we Benton County neighbors and thespians. That year, as children were packing their school bags and sharpening their pencils, the Brian and Sara Larkin family was packing their travel bags and sharpening their adjustment skills as they escaped the Windy City area to settle and thrive in loverly Vinton, Iowa.

Lucky for us, the Larkin family quickly entered the Vinton Shellsburg school system, where Sara continues to teach Math and Computer Programming and coach the Math League at Washington High School. Abby and Rachael now walk the halls of Tilford Middle School, and John and Katie are both 4^th graders at Lincoln Elementary. Brian began his local career in reality, found his niche, and soon opened Cedar River Reality.

Luck continued to befall Benton County in 1999, when Abby, Rachael, and Katie graced the ACT I summer stage for the first time, at the Braille School Auditorium, as Toys in The Velveteen Rabbit. Since that fortuitous summer, ACT I audiences have seen Abby and Rachael in The Secret Garden, Hansel and Gretel, Charlotte’s Web, and The Emperor’s New Clothes, and Katie in Hansel and Gretel, Charlotte’s Web, and Stone Soup.

From the beginning of their relationship with ACT I, Sara has pitched in backstage, helping with make-up, costumes, set, and overall cast control. This year, during the You’ve Got To See It To Believe It! productions, Sara took on the ambitious job of house manager. When Sara is not helping off stage you may find her leading the applause from the front row with son John, one of our biggest ACT I supporters.

As parents of ACT I STAGE! actors often do, Brian fell into a bit of luck himself, during the summer of 2000, when he was asked to step in as Fair Barker/Judge/Announcer. He made the most of his small collection of characters during that performance. It was then that several ACT I talent scouts discovered Brian’s history in music and theatre, and realized the luck was, indeed, all ours. Fortunately, Brian’s love of the theatre came back to him once he heard the laughter and applause that continued beyond the final curtain, and he was off to the My Fair Lady auditions before Sara could utter, "You’re going to what?" Very little luck was involved when he was cast as Alfred P. Doolittle, unless you count the luck of his fellow cast members, the director, and the grateful audience.

Brian Larkin (above, center) as Alfred P. Doolittle in My Fair Lady

Brian is now gearing up to open with the cast of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum this weekend. Word from rehearsals is that he is outstanding as the leacherous Marcus Lycus.

ACT I members all agree that our community theatre group has greatly profited from our partnership with the Larkin family. And it is to our advantage that Brian and Sara Larkin both feel that this acting association is also beneficial to their family.

"Being involved in live theatre gives kids experience speaking in front of groups, helping to overcome shyness.  (Which is why you'll never see Sara on the stage!)  Involvement in the arts also stimulates the mind and has a direct impact on academic success."

Brian is now a member of the ACT I board, and has generously taken on the large task of Promotional Director.

Camping, movies at the Palace, family game time, singing in the choir at St. Mary’s, attending High School sporting events, and riding bikes top the Larkin’s Fun Things to Do in Vinton List.

And, With a Little Bit O’ Luck, supporting and participating in ACT I will continue to grace that list as well.

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