Making A Play To Aid Sick Boy

NEW PORT RICHEY - Laurie Philpot knew she needed to do something when she learned an old high school friend's 2-year-old son had leukemia and the mounting medical costs had thrown the family's finances into disarray.

Parker Underwood of DeLand was diagnosed in February. Since then, he has undergone treatment at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando and his family has stayed nearby at the Ronald McDonald House.

Medicine isn't Philpot's area of expertise.

Theater is, though. She is co-founder of Showcase Community Theatre in New Port Richey, which is putting on eight performances this month of 'High School Musical.'

Philpot and her partner, Brad Brady, decided to transform the Oct. 21 performance into a benefit for Parker's family. All of the proceeds from ticket sales from that day's show will be donated to the Underwoods. The theater also plans a silent auction and other fundraising efforts the night of the show.

Although the benefit show is sold out, the theater is accepting donations of products and services for the silent auction. The theater also will accept any other donations for the Underwoods, Philpot and Brady said.

Showcase is a youth-oriented, nonprofit theater with cast members ages 8 to 18. Parents of the 65 students involved in the show played a key role in soliciting items for the silent auction and spreading the word that the Oct. 21 performance was a benefit for Parker, Philpot said.

'It's just amazing how people will reach out,' she said.

In addition to the silent auction, there will be a booth set up with information about becoming a bone marrow donor, Philpot said.

Parker's family has documented his progress at www.parkeru.org.

Philpot and Parker's mother, Jamie Underwood, were 1994 graduates of Riverdale High School in Fort Myers.

'We were very close friends,' Philpot said. 'We are still close.'

Parker's father, Aaron, also attended the high school and graduated in 1995, Philpot said.

The family's ordeal began Feb. 1 when Parker's parents noticed lumps on the back of his head. Initially, doctors didn't suspect anything serious and treated him with antibiotics. Over the next few days, though, Parker became lethargic. Bruises appeared on his legs. He displayed little appetite.

On Feb. 12, a pediatrician ran blood tests and discovered Parker's white blood count was extremely elevated.

'He said we needed to take him to Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital in Orlando immediately - don't even pack,' the Underwoods wrote on the Web site.

In the ensuing months, Jamie Underwood has added more than 30 updates on the Web site, including in April when Parker's younger sister, Paige, was born. The Underwoods also have another daughter, Payton.

One of the most recent postings, dated Sept. 25, started this way: 'Parker's day was full. Full of 'therapy' - physical and occupational. He actually walked, with very little assistance, today!!'

Showcase Community Theatre's production of 'High School Musical' also will be presented at 7 p.m. Oct. 18-20, and Oct. 25-27, and at 2 p.m. Oct. 27. The Oct. 25 show and the Oct. 27 matinee also are sold out, Brady said.

Tickets are $15 for adults and children 8 and older, and $10 for children 7 and younger.

Performances are at Renaissance Academy at 8431 Corporate Way in New Port Richey.

For information about the theater and tickets, go to www.showcaseyouth.com.