PORTLAND, Ore. — It was the most tubular of times; it was the most bogus of times. The 1980s meant many things to many people. For a group of University of Oregon theater kids, the era spawned a lifelong friendship through an original school production: The Last Dragon. Now their beloved rock fantasy musical is about to rise again.
"I just wanted to produce and see my favorite show that we ever did in college one more time," said Damon Jones, a Portland talent agent who came up with the revival.
To get the idea off the ground, Jones reached out to two other close college friends, Manny Mansfield and Robert Hicks.
"We get together and it's as though no time has passed," said Hicks. "This was a big deal for all of us because it was an original production."
Hicks will reprise his starring role as "Adam," a 17-year-old who meets "Carnod," the last dragon who's seen better days.
"He's tired, he's all burned out, he's lost his will to live," said Jones, who will play Carnod.
The lyrics to the original numbers make it clear that the music in this show will turn things around for its characters.
"You think your battles are over, you put your courage on the shelf, you've given up on life and lost part of yourself," recited Jones. "But your fighting days aren't over, there's a battle left to go, stand up and take charge, you know? And strike that final blow!"
For Jones, those lyrics are very personal, and mean more to him now than ever. Four years ago, Jones was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer. He fought it and now the cancer is in partial remission. Jones' survival inspired him to revive The Last Dragon.
"Damon is very persuasive," said Mansfield, who admits Jones' original pitch took some convincing.
Jones came up with an idea for helping others, that sealed the deal.
"What if we get everybody together, we perform this show and we create a scholarship for theater kids at the University of Oregon," said Jones. "And Manny turns to me and goes, 'Yes.'"
Jones said revenue generated after recovering production costs will go toward their scholarship fund. They're also raising money toward their goal through a GoFundMe.
Audiences can catch The Last Dragon at The Winningstad Theater in downtown Portland Aug. 8-10 and tickets are still available to purchase here.
Cast members — many of them from the original production — have been rehearsing together in-person and via Zoom from Australia to New York, and Los Angeles and Seattle. They're excited for the rock ballads, dances, and memories.
"For all of us to be together on that stage, magic is really going to happen," said Hicks.
"We want the audience to get up and dance," added Jones. "That's what kind of show it is."
The words at the bottom of The Last Dragon's original playbill provide maybe the most accurate description of its revival: "A fantasy to hold onto... forever." It's clear these "kids," are never letting go.
"Theater kids and now older theater kids," said Mansfield. "But still kids."