The show goes on for young playwright, whose best production is sweet charity
Patrick Flanagan of Babylon High School's class of 2008 planned to attend Wagner College. (June 5, 2008) Credit: Newsday / Daniel Goodrich
The music and lyrics were by Patrick Flanagan. The script was by Patrick Flanagan. The creative director was Patrick Flanagan, and the staging, production, costume design and advertising were by Patrick Flanagan.
The full-length musical, "Roses in the Fall," by Patrick Flanagan, was a big hit at Babylon High School, where Flanagan also "rallied friends and faculty to audition, act and musically perform in the production," said counselor Suzanne E. Murphy.
Fellow students unanimously voted Flanagan "the most likely to become famous and star on Broadway."
Flanagan, 18, a modest, unassuming young playwright, took his success in his quiet stride. His "philosophical insight, wit and humor" showed in his play, Murphy said.
The two-night performances, with tickets at $5, brought in $3,000. Half the proceeds will go toward a scholarship in memory of Joann Tobin, a home economics teacher who died of an illness shortly before the show went on. The rest of the money will go to the family of a child suffering from leukemia, Flanagan said.
It wasn't his first charitable effort. Last year Flanagan and friends organized a concert called "Rock on the Beach," with proceeds going to survivors of the genocide in Darfur. "Patrick sang in our chorus and was very involved in school activities. He is very generous in wanting to donate funds," said Robert Visbal, principal of Babylon Jr.-Sr. High School.
The idea for a musical production germinated when he was in the 10th grade, Flanagan recalled. Finally, in the summer before his senior year, he "decided to buckle down and do something." After months of hard work and long hours of rehearsals, the play came to fruition in January. Now, he said, he's developed "a passion for writing plays." He'll follow his passion at Wagner College on Staten Island, which he chose because of its outstanding theater program, he said. And Staten Island is not that far from Broadway.
The small village-based Babylon High School will hold ceremonies June 28 at 9:30 a.m. on the football field, and Flanagan will be among 150 graduates praying that it doesn't rain.
"He has contributed so much to our community with energy and enthusiasm," said Murphy, who was also college adviser.
