Four Fairfield Ludlowe High School seniors will be participating in Follies 2008, a social and cultural experience involving students from more than 10 towns at Bridgeport's Klein Memorial Auditorium on May 16, 17 and 18.

Abigail Root, Charlotte Boyd, Kate Victor and Helen Weselcouch will represent Fairfield in "Step in Time," the theme for the ninth annual Follies show. Founded in the spring of 2000, Follies "began as an experiment of the Fairfield Rotary Club to promote understanding and to build friendships among inner-city and suburban high school students in the greater Bridgeport area," the Follies press release explains.

In addition to Fairfield, students come from Easton, Redding, Monroe, Westport, Stratford, Greenwich, New Haven, Southbury, Newtown, Trumbull and Ansonia. The release continued, "Follies has helped these teenagers form friendships and respect for their peers from other segments of society. It has also given them the experience, the confidence, and motivation to further develop their performing proficiencies and to pursue higher education opportunities which many of them had not previously considered possible."

Seventy-two students representing 17 high schools were selected from open auditions in

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February. This year's show will feature performances of well-known Broadway numbers, rife with professional-looking costumes, staging, direction, and wonderful singing and dancing. The release stated, "Audiences will be thrilled both by the treasures of Broadway classics from the past, as well as today's hit numbers from current shows."

Root is very excited about this year's show, having performed in Follies since she was a freshman, four years ago. "I've been dancing ever since I was little," she said, estimating that she has about 13 years of experience behind her. "My dad is a professional actor so he got me into it." Not only will Root be dancing in Follies 2008, but singing as well. "I think it's going to be great. I'm in a lot of numbers." Though it was difficult to pick a favorite, Root mentioned, "We're doing numbers from 'Legally Blond.' They're a lot of fun." Root will be studying music theater at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Ill., this fall.

Boyd will be performing in her first Follies show this year. "My friends have always done it, and it seemed like a lot of fun. I never had time in my schedule before." Her last year at Ludlowe opened up enough time for Boyd to try out; Boyd, with seven years of dance at Christine Lynn's Dance Studio in Southport, plus experience with theater, made the cut.

When asked how she felt about Follies 2008, Boyd responded, "It's overwhelming how many numbers we're doing." She estimated being in 12 herself. "We have some great dancers," she added, expecting a terrific performance by all. Her favorite? "My Junk" from "Spring Awakening." Boyd will continue her participation in theater and dance at Northeastern University in Boston in September, with a plan to study communications and music.

Victor, like Root, has been dancing since the ripe old age of 4. "My older sisters danced at Christine Lynn's Dance Studio," she said Monday, "and I just followed them."

This will be Victor's third year in Follies, after being inspired by the show her freshman year. "My mom had told me about it and took me to see it," she said. "I had to audition the next year."

With two shows behind her, Victor said 2008 is "the best one yet."

"The cast is really outstanding," she noted. Although every piece is thought to be excellent, Victor is particularly proud of "Bend and Snap" from "Legally Blond."

After graduation from Ludlowe, Victor will be going to William Paterson University in Wayne, N.J., focusing her studies on jazz performance and music education. "I definitely want to continue with theater, too," she said.

This year will mark Weselcouch's third Follies performance; she performed in 2005 and 2006, taking 2007 off due to an ice-skating injury.

Weselcouch started dancing at the age of 2. "I took professional lessons when I was 2 until I was 13 and then stopped to figure skate. The great thing is [dancing] just comes right back to you," she said.

Weselcouch will be performing in a handful of sub-shows at this year's event. "I haven't seen most of the numbers, so I'm just as excited to see it as the audience is," she said. Her favorite performance is "Legally Blond"'s "Whipped into Shape."

"It will be miraculous if we pull it off. There will be 20 kids on stage with jump ropes."

Weselcouch will be attending New York City's New School this fall, concentrating her major in urban and jazz studies. She hopes to continue skating in Chelsea and taking some fun dance classes as well.

Follies 2008 will be Executive Producer and Director Marje Tracy's ninth year with the production. A graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City, Tracy has performed in several professional venues in the area, including the Darien Dinner Theatre. The release noted, "Ms. Tracy conceived the Follies concept and has been its driving force since its inception." She works as a real estate agent with Nicholas H. Fingelly Real Estate with offices in Westport and Southport.

Others behind the show include Jessica Roach and Frank Root directing choreography, and Sabrina Post as director of music. A professional dancer and teacher, Roach met Tracy at a Joel Barlow High School performance in Easton nine years ago; Roach was a student in "Crazy For You," directed by Tracy. "She's absolutely wonderful," Tracy said of Roach. "I hope she has a rosy, rosy future."

Accomplished Broadway performer Root also has appeared in national touring companies, film and television; previously on the theater faculty at the University of Hartford's Hartt School and New York University, Root now runs a professional theater school in Southport with his wife, Marianne Challis.

Post comes back to the show for the second year, with 24 years of experience and more than 200 musicals under her belt. Teaching in schools all over Fairfield County, including Joel Barlow where she met Tracy, Post has led her choirs on several European concert tours. She now operates Sabrina's Encore Productions, a local performing arts school, with Robert Perachio.

Tracy is excited for the performances, deeming this year "a very funny show." Tracy even brought in a circus clown to teach jump roping for the number from "Legally Blond."

"It's fun. It adds to your life, especially working with the kids. The Bridgeport kids especially have so much spirit."

Follies 2008 will be shown at 7:30 p.m. May 16 and 17, and at 2 p.m. May 18 at 910 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport. Prices are $18 for adults and $16 for students. Reduced rates are available for groups of 10 or more for Sunday's matinee. Tickets for reserved seats can be purchased online at www.fairfieldtheatre.org or by calling 259-1036. General admission tickets also can be purchased at the box office prior to each show. For more information, visit www.fairfieldfollies.org or call Debbie Clancy at (203) 605-6500.