YOUNG WORLD FOLLIES

P David Ebersole made his stage debut at 13 years old in “Young World Follies Goes to the Circus” when he was an underclassman at LeConte Junior High School. His solo was “The Show Must Go On” by Three Dog Night and he also sang alternating solo verses of “Karn Evil 9” by Emerson, Lake & Palmer. The second song was a controversial assignment as David’s scene-stealing performance was threatening to the upperclassman with whom he shared the stage. The incident is discussed as backstory to the main character of David’s novel, 99 Miles from L.A.

In 1978, David was a senior and a main soloist. The theme was “Young World Tinsel Town Follies” and his signature song was “Celluloid Heroes” by the Kinks. The pink program below shows he was also a student choreographer.

At the school’s year-end theater honors, David won Best Singer for both productions, and he still has his 1977 “upset” trophy today, the first award he ever won.