The happy chaos of a production that is 10 days away from opening night at Harriton High School. It's the Mr. Harriton contest.
"Mr. Harriton is basically a talent competition," said Production Manager, Cody Carb. "Each contestant gives it their all in a chance to become Mr. Harriton."
Ten young men are vying for the title and "their all" comes in many forms from juggling to drums; from a monologue on dating, to sounds you did not think could come from a sousaphone.
But perhaps the most remarkable element about this year's event is contestant Austin Wortley. He has been battling Lymphoma since December 2010, who recently underwent a stem cell transplant.
Last year, he could only watched from the audience, but this year he is part of it.
With wrestling and football off limits for now, he loves the competition.
Even those these guys beat me up with their dance skills, I am pretty much hanging in there," said Austin. "Seeing a bald kid dance around on stage is pretty entertaining in, my opinion."
Money raised during this year's and last year's Mr. Harriton contests, along with other school events, have been earmarked for cancer groups.
Mr. Harriton's faculty advisor, Heidi Cooke, says Austin brings the best out of everyone.
"If you are down someday and feeling low and crummy and you look at Austin, and the treatment he has gone through, he is never down, he is always here, he has made every practice," said Cooke.
From now until opening night it will be practice, practice, practice, for all ten Mr. Harriton wannabe's.
Opening Curtain will be 7:00 pm Friday March 9th at Harriton High School.
