This weekend, the Bellevue Youth Theatre’s production of Madeline will feature more than 30 children ages 7 to 16. The show will also feature an 83-year old who says she has found her fountain of youth.

Pat Long, a retired lobbyist and lawyer, will play Lady Covington, a stern, but caring governess at Madeline’s boarding school.

Long is always willing to share her knowledge with the cast and often spends her time helping many of the children who need to rehearse lines or review stage movements. Keeping up with a lively cast of mostly elementary school age kids, most would never guess her age.

Long says she doesn’t feel 83 and feels more seniors should get involved in this type of community theatre because, she says, “the kids are like a fountain of youth.”

Long heard of the theater program back in 2007 when she saw an ad for a Senior Acting Group at the Bellevue Youth Theatre. She visited the group and attended a few classes.

But she really wanted the opportunity to work with children, so she started auditioning for the Bellevue Youth Theatre “mainstage” productions. She has since played several roles, including the governor of New York in Miracle on 34th Street and the kindly grandmother in The Velveteen Rabbit.

Madeline performs March 19-21 at Bellevue Youth Theatre, 16661 Northup Way, Bellevue. For tickets and information about auditions or volunteering, call 425-452-7155 or visit www.bellevuewa.gov.

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