Taking Laurel and Hardy on the road

Thanks to Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, a group of thespians from Harlem High School might perform in Amsterdam.

At a recent convention of an international Laurel and Hardy fan club held in July in Harlem and Augusta, the Harlem High drama team performed Take a Smile, a musical tribute to the much-beloved comedy duo.

Convention organizers were so impressed with the show that they asked Harlem High drama teacher and play director Roy Lewis to stage the same production at their next convention in Amsterdam in July 2008.

"They're really excited about bringing us over," Lewis said.

So far, only preliminary negotiations have taken place with officials from the fan club, called Sons of the Desert. The group has agreed to cover lodging costs, but it's up to Harlem's drama team to pay for transportation.

Lewis said a series of fundraisers will make it possible for him to take his actors to the Netherlands.

"A lot of stuff has to happen," he said.

"I'm not negating it. It's an honor, but it's a long time between now and then."

This would not be the first time Lewis has taken a group of young actors overseas. In 2004, Harlem High Drama won a spot in the prestigious Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland.

"This would be easier than going to Edinburgh," Lewis said.

Convention organizers are in talks with city officials from Haarlem in the Netherlands to sponsor the Harlem High students.

"They're using that as a possible connection - Harlem and Haarlem," Lewis said.