MHS play explores boy’s  struggle with AIDS

‘The Yellow Boat’ tells true story of Benjamin Saar, a hemophiliac 8-year-old who got AIDS.

Benjamin, played by Gracie Taylor, reacts as he receives a shot for his hemophilia condition during the dress rehearsal of the Middletown High School production of “The Yellow Boat” Tuesday, Oct. 20.

Staff photo by Pat Auckerman Benjamin, played by Gracie Taylor, reacts as he receives a shot for his hemophilia condition during the dress rehearsal of the Middletown High School production of “The Yellow Boat” Tuesday, Oct. 20.

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By Meagan Engle, Staff Writer 1:52 AM Thursday, October 22, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — High School students are using their fall play this weekend to tell the true story of a little boy who celebrated life even as he struggled with two devastating illnesses.

“The Yellow Boat” brings the audience into the colorful mind of Benjamin Saar, a boy from Arizona who was born with hemophilia and died at age 8 from AIDS-related complications after contracting the disease through blood transfusions.

“It’s more of a celebration of life than a sad story,” said Gracie Taylor, who portrays Benjamin.

Just an hour and 15 minutes long, the story — written by Benjamin’s father, David Saar — takes the audience from Benjamin’s birth into his time in the hospital, where he drew colors and shapes to share his physical pain.

“If you’re a parent it’s a totally different story than if you’re a child,” Taylor said.

Children see the celebrating of life through the boy who is imaginative and parents feel the emotional journey of Benjamin and his parents, students said.

“It’s colorful. It’s touching. It’s really, really heartwarming,” said senior Chloe Manning, who plays a child psychologist who tries to bring color into the sterile white hospital.

“It’s educational and it’s also fun to watch. There are parts for everyone,” Taylor said.

The story is brought to life by a cast of just seven students: Taylor, Manning, Lauren True, Zac Pruett, Dexter Pulles, Nielle Rogers and Melanie McIntosh. Crew members include Nikki Gierzak, Katelyn Hazelwood, Andrew Morgan, Giovani Salas, Sadie Slamka, Kim Sprowles, Lauren Hapner, Tisa Lahagu, Anna Sebastion, Seth Spicer, Samantha Steele and Erika Van Petten.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2551 or mengle@coxohio.com.

‘The Yellow Boat’

Where: Middletown High School Theatre, at 601 N. Breiel Blvd.

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday Oct. 23 and Saturday Oct. 24

Cost: Tickets are $5

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