Brownsville girl plays lead role in ‘Opal’ production in Elizabeth
Seven-year-old Lexie Rohlf has acting and theater in her blood. Despite her very young age, the Brownsville girl seems to have a natural talent and passion for the hobby that her parents, Tricia and Michael Rohlf, have enjoyed for more than two decades.
An actress for several years, Lexie recently earned the lead role in the theater production of “Opal,” which will be presented this weekend at the Grand Theater in Elizabeth.
Her parents, also performers who have received training at specialized schools and workshops, have taught Lexie the skills of acting – if merely through the little girl’s own observation.
“It is a natural progression,” said Tricia Rohlf, Lexie’s mother. “Michael and I have been involved in theater for over 20 years. So it is only natural that the talent to act has been passed down to our kids.”
Ernest Watson, director of “Opal” and Lexie’s long-time friend, recognized the 7-year-old’s talent immediately and wanted her for the part. After Lexie agreed to play the lead role of Opal, the second-grade student and member of the gifted program at Cox-Donahey Elementary School, realized that the role would be challenging. But she was filled with enthusiasm for the daunting task.
Tricia, an English teacher at Brownsville Area High School and the director of the school’s annual theater production, joked that Lexie’s first stage appearance was in “The King and I,” a role where Tricia was pregnant with her oldest daughter.
But Lexie needs no assistance when it comes to stage appearances because the child actress possesses a host of her own, including roles in “Annie” and “Cinderella.”
“A good actress has really got to internalize the part,” said Tricia, who witnesses the demanding role that her daughter undertakes when playing Opal. “Lexie has done this internalizing. She has broken down and actually cried while performing the part during rehearsals.”
Although the rehearsal schedule has been hectic for the Rohlfs, the family made the decision to appear in another production as a group. Michael, Tricia, Lexie, Jonathan and Kara Rohlf will all have parts in the production of “The Sound of Music,” which will debut the third weekend in July at the Grand Theater.
“Theatrical productions are a main thrust in life for our family – even though academics come first,” Tricia said. “We give our children the opportunities and if they want to take advantage of it, we go. First and foremost, what is important is that they are kids and they need to have fun.
“Everybody has a passion. It’s what makes you come alive,” Tricia added. “I guess that theater is that passion for us.”
Although originally from Uniontown, the Rohlf family is currently living in Brownsville, a community they have called home for the past 15 years. The Rohlf family has three other children – Kara, 5, Jonathan, 10, and Brad, 19 – who are also pursuing roles in theatrical productions.
The award-winning, off-Broadway musical “Opal,” featuring Lexie Rohlf as the lead character, will be presented today and Saturday at 8 p.m.
Tickets are available at the door or for reservations, call the theater at 412-384-0504.