FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Children wait in a quiet auditorium for a show to begin; energy builds in contagious bounds as showtime inches closer and students talk about the book they’ve already read, from which the play is based. Some can’t wait to have their book or poster signed by the actors, some talk about the engrossing story and of how they love history.

Then, shrieks of laughter fill the air as a bearded lady and stuffy, Southern lawyer join Kid Lawyer Theodore Boone and a cast of other eccentrics on the stage of Faulkner State Community College’s Centennial Hall in Fairhope.

Theft and mayhem play out through over-the-top accents, dramatic costumes and silly renderings as John Grisham’s children’s book characters come to life — and come to play. From the second book in his “Theodore Boone” series, “Kid Lawyer” left children engrossed and learning just as the Sept. 7 performance sent them reeling.

Elementary-aged children sat mesmerized, laughed out loud, even interacted as “The Thrill of Rights” portrayed a theft of the Bill of Rights document from under the nose of a clueless security guard.

A mysterious white glove appeared above the display … whirlwind-style music rang out and children pointed and sat forward in their seats.

Theo came to innocently admire the historical icon, when the document mysteriously ended up in his backpack.

Trial ensued. Accusations were slung, melodrama ran rampant and 11-year-old Kirsten Fasanello sprang from the audience to act as Theo’s co-defense while he acted as his own attorney in an attempt to prove his innocence.

Students Mary Catherine, Tyler Cloy, Joy Davis and Kay Nobles bounded toward the “courtroom” to act as jurors in the trial.

Theo, played by New York actor Nick Kanellis, donned his backward hat and sneakers to plead his case to a fast-talking judge, Los Angeles actress Jessica McKenna.

Continually thwarted by less-than-competent Lawyer Butler, New York actor Peter McNerney, Theo stood his ground as Kirsten yelled out objections and questioned witnesses.

Lee Overtree, one of the stage directors, lit up as he spoke about the play’s enthusiastic tone and affects on young audience members.

“I think the show is exciting because it utilizes participation from the kids in the audience in a unique and comprehensive way,” he gleamed. “We see the kids be lawyers, witnesses and jurors and drive the action of the story.”

“At the same time, it’s a completely professional play with some of the best adult actors you've ever seen.

“But every show is different because the kids are such an integral part of the show.”

Children not only act in the show, yell out eyewitness accounts and gasp at errors in testimony, they learn about critical thinking, America’s justice system and laws in the process.

Theo turned tables and assumptions as he made a convincing argument for Lawyer Butler’s possible involvement in the theft. He then explained to jurors and audience members, “if there’s reasonable doubt in your mind, you have no choice but to find me innocent.”

The jury agreed and children rushed for autographs. Actors asked children questions about the show and chatted as they signed posters and books.

Kirsten’s grandmother, Elaine Thomas, said she heard about the show while working at the Fairhope High School library.

“She loves to read, and she loves to act and she loves to interact,” Thomas smiled as she spoke about her young granddaughter. “When I heard it was interactive, I called her dad and said, ‘Can I please bring Kirsten?’”

She said she was interested to see a new audience enjoy the author’s mysteries.

“When you think of John Grisham, you think older,” she admitted. “I called Page and Palette (bookstore) and asked the age appropriateness, and they said 8-plus..”

The show had begun in Atlanta earlier that week, and will continue on to Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

It was part of Page and Palette’s “Hook ‘Em and Keep ‘Em” program that works to keep children in grades 5-9 interested in reading. The bookstore’s Good Life Foundation began the program with the Grisham tour and a booksigning by mystery author Harlan Coban.

“These are crucial times during their development as readers,” Page & Palette President Karin Wilson said. “Both of these books have been a huge hit with this age group; we couldn’t dream of a better way to kick off our program.”