By Mark Ambrogi
It wasn’t hard for Clay Middle School choir teacher Miranda Susie to entice students to perform in “Peter Pan JR.”
“The kids have loved this production,” said Susie, who serves as director of the musical. “They love it, it has pirates, mermaids and lost boys. They love that there are all the familiar characters. They love the music, and I love the music. There are a lot of familiar songs but they learn a lot of new music. The costumes and sets are fun.”
The musical will be presented Nov. 5-7at 7 p.m. at Clay Middle’s auditorium. There are 65 performers in the musical.
“We have choir, band and orchestra students. We have athletes in the play,” Susie said. “The whole student body is represented.”
Piper Williams, an eighth grader, plays Peter Pan.
“I like singing and performing, and doing it with my friends is a lot of fun,” Williams said.
Williams was in the chorus in sixth grade musical, “Guys and Dolls JR.” She was an understudy in “Xanadu JR” as a seventh grader.
“So finally in eighth grade I get to experience being a lead which I hadn’t done before,” Williams said. “I really love the music. I like how there is little bit of the Disney movie and a little bit of the Broadway so it’s kind of a mix of both.”
Lauryn Hedges, an eighth grader, plays Wendy.
“The music is beautiful, and I love hearing everyone sing,” Hedges said. “There is a lot of singing in this role, and I love that.”
Hedges was the lead of Jasmine in fifth grade in Prairie Trace Elementary’s “Aladdin Kids.”
“I’ve had smaller roles in the plays in middle school, which have all been fun,” Hedges said. “But this is a new and fun experience.”
There is general admission seating on Nov. 5 and reserved seating on Nov. 6-7. Tickets are $3 for students and $5 for adults. For tickets, call 844-7251.
