Fringe 2025 – show goes on for US teenagers despite the death of their writer
The director and theatre department head, based in Florida, was working with 15 to 17-year-old students from St John's Country Day School, Jacksonville, on a production called An Idiot's Guide To Breaking Your Own Heart.
Just a couple of songs were complete and workshopping on the script had still to begin, however, flights, accommodation and a venue had been booked.
And more important than that – if there was one thing Paul would have wanted it would have been for the show to go on … and it will.
Todd Twining, fellow theatre teacher at St John's and show musical director, said: 'Paul's death was such a shock. He was so liked and admired by the students. We thought we'd just have to cancel – without Paul it felt like there could be no show.
'But we realised that we just had to finish what he'd started. Paul adored the Fringe and loved giving generations of young people the unique experience of performing there and being part of the world's greatest performing arts festival.
'Since then the students, their parents and everyone else have worked flat out to get the show finished, to rehearse, to prepare and make sure we can go on stage. And the support we've had from people in Edinburgh, especially our venue, has been just amazing.'
The result is true to Paul's spirit – a production which allows young people to explore and express the pressures they face. These include the need to fit in, look perfect, get straight As, go to the right parties, fulfill their parents' dreams – to 'live their best lives' every minute of the day.
It follows the story of Simon Walker who has a school assignment to write a manual on 'How to be You', to demonstrate whether you are a product of nature or nurture. The final part of the project is to answer two questions:
What do you contribute to society?
Does your life have meaning?
Together with his friends, Quentin Bean and Sandy Dachowski, Simon relives the high and low points of his life.
Paul Perez
Todd said: 'Paul was an endlessly enthusiastic champion of young people and the ability of the performing arts to express dreams and fears and to change lives and society for the better.
'This musical is all about the issues confronting young people every day of their lives.
'The pressure they feel is insane – the absurd idea that they need to know where their life is headed when they are still growing, developing and getting to know who they are.
'Their fear of failure causes paralysis and deprives them of the ability to explore life. But failure is not an end, rather it is a beginning, that is something the arts teach us.'
The show, presented as a collaboration between the school and Paul's Infinity Repertory Theatre Company, will run from 1-6 August.
In 2018 The Edinburgh Reporter said the company had 'a reputation for presenting quality new work by talented young people. Three Weeks in Edinburgh praised its musical Geek for toe-tapping bluegrass-style tunes and the exceptional young cast'.
Darren Neale, Greenside Venues director, said: 'Getting The Idiot's Guide to Breaking Your Own Heart on stage this year has been nothing short of extraordinary.
'In the face of heartbreak and uncertainty, these young performers and their creative team have shown remarkable resilience and dedication.
'Paul Perez was a passionate advocate for the transformative power of theatre, and this production is a beautiful tribute to his legacy. We're honoured to host a show that so clearly embodies the spirit of the Fringe.'
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