By Brenda Maguire
CORRESPONDENT
BERLIN — The last time Austin Stowell returned to Central Connecticut was to visit his mother.
This time, it’s business.
Stowell, a Berlin native, will be making an appearance Friday at Rave Berlin 12 Theater on Frontage Road in Kensington to promote the Warner Brother’s film “Dolphin Tale,” in which he plays Kyle Connellan.
“It’s going to be crazy,” said Jessica Savipsky, a manager at Rave Berlin 12 Theater. “A lot of people are coming and excited because he’s from here.
“He’s very well known in town. His mom is a sixth-grade teacher and he went to school with everyone here. It’s a great town success story.”
Stowell said Wednesday this is something his family laughed about when he was young.
“It kind of seems like a dream right now, to be coming to Berlin for my movie premiere,” he said. “I’m pretty blown away by the whole thing.”
“Dolphin Tale” is about an injured dolphin, Winter, that loses her tail and the group of strangers who work together to save her life. The movie is based on a true story.
Stowell’s character is a state champion swimmer who goes into the military as a way to receive funding for his training for the Olympics. While in Iraq Kyle is injured, paralyzing the right side of his body.
In the film, Winter becomes an inspiration for Kyle to find a new path because she’s facing the same problem as him.
The camaraderie of the cast, which included Morgan Freeman, Harry Connick Jr. and Ashley Judd, was something that stuck out for Stowell.
“I’ve never experienced anything quite like it,” he said. “Everyone was there for a common cause, as if it was bigger than themselves.”
Stowell, 26, is most known for his role as Jesse in the ABC Family show “The Secret Life of the American Teenager.”
Stowell is scheduled to arrive at the theater at 6:15 p.m. and sign autographs until 7 p.m. He will provide introductions for the 7:15 p.m. and 7:35 p.m. showings, with a question-and-answer session following the 7:35 p.m. movie.
Savipsky suggests purchasing tickets in advance because they’re expected to sell quickly.
To purchase tickets for the event call (860) 829-1277.
Brenda Pantano 