By Artist Development Program Student Isla Dawahare

This is Elizabeth McGuire's seventh production of 42nd Street, but this one holds special meaning.

Ten years ago, The Lexington Theatre Company produced their very first Mainstage show—42nd Street. Elizabeth McGuire was part of the incredible ensemble in that production, and now, a decade later, she returned to play the lead role of Peggy Sawyer in The Lex's 10th Anniversary production of 42nd Street.

Elizabeth, a Central KY native, first connected with Lyndy Franklin Smith, the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of The Lex, at Town & Village, the studio that Lyndy’s mother, Luanne Franklin, had made a destination for serious dancers, and that Lyndy and her husband Jeromy still own. Elizabeth was a sophomore in high school at the time, beginning to consider her post-graduation plans. That's when Lyndy arrived and introduced Elizabeth to a new style of dance—the Randy Skinner style of tap. Elizabeth explains that she realized then that that was what she wanted to do. "Then Lyndy and I quickly figured out that we were extremely similar: in personality, in the way we look at the world and relate to the world, in the way that we talk to people, in the way that we organize things, and we just slowly realized, ah! We're kindred spirits," said Elizabeth. The two developed a close bond, and Elizabeth describes Lyndy as an older sister to her. She says she still often calls Lyndy when she needs advice or help. Elizabeth started babysitting Ben and Andrew, Lyndy and Jeromy's two children, and when Elizabeth left for college, her mother, Jody, took over and became the "Mary Poppins" for the family. By then, the Smiths were family to the McGuires. "They just always believed in me," Elizabeth says of Lyndy and Jeromy.

Elizabeth McGuire and Lyndy Franklin Smith. *Isla Dawahare Photography*

A few years later, in 2015, The Lex produced their first Mainstage show – a soaring production of 42nd Street. Elizabeth tapped through the performance as part of the talented ensemble. Little did she know how important The Lex and 42nd Street would become to her life.

"This show is really special to me, because it has kept showing up in my performance life," Elizabeth explains. 42nd Street with The Lex was her first professional show, and it was also the first production she booked after moving to New York, as well as her first principal role. She's appeared in seven productions of 42nd Street and has even played Peggy Sawyer for Randy Skinner—the same Randy Skinner who choreographed the Tony-nominated Broadway revival of 42nd Street, and was someone Elizabeth had always dreamed of working with. She says that connections made through The Lex helped her reach him.

"I've always felt like I understood Peggy Sawyer and relate to her in many ways," Elizabeth says. Peggy is hopeful, confident—a small-town girl with big Broadway dreams. Elizabeth describes Peggy as being "new and fresh and kind of innocent." Elizabeth says she can understand that freshness to the world, partly because she was homeschooled and experienced a similar feeling when she grew up and entered the world. "It's fun to have a character that kind of takes that same journey that I feel like I've had a little bit of an experience of in my own life…I think I've just grown to love Peggy Sawyer."

Describing her reaction to getting the call from Lyndy asking her to play Peggy, Elizabeth said: "I cried. We both cried. It was a very special phone call." She explained she was in rehearsals for another show and was having a difficult day. She had wished earlier that day that she could call Lyndy, but hesitated, knowing how busy Lyndy was at the time. She describes the moment they connected on the phone as both a celebration and a reminder of how much she's grown.

When asked how it feels to return as an adult ten years later, Elizabeth says: "I feel like I've noticed a lot of maturity in myself." She continues, "I feel like because The Lex was the first place where I learned to do it, I felt like a student for a long time. And I still am a student, but I did feel like I was able to walk into this process feeling like I'd grown up as a performer." Nothing has better encapsulated the commitment to lifelong learning that is part of the very foundation of The Lex.

Elizabeth McGuire outside of the Lexington Opera House. *Isla Dawahare Photography*

"It feels correct…It's the right time, it's the right moment, it's the right role," Elizabeth says. She described how magical it's been to return to this special show with this special theatre company. "My heart has just been bursting with joy this whole time."

"Through the whole process, it has just felt right. And everyone has been so loving and so encouraging. And I feel like every single person that's a part of this cast is exactly the right person, which also feels so special," Elizabeth says. "There's just so many layers—you know, in my hometown, my home theatre, the place where it all started. The show that started it all, the show that's continued to be special to me."

Elizabeth McGuire has come home.

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