Nearly a hundred spectators, including over 70 senior citizens, were at the multi-purpose center in Susupe to watch the school’s first production for the year.
School principal Thomas Weindl said it was their 20th year of staging a show for the senior citizens. As in previous years, a special repeat production was slated for the students’ families in the evening.
Whispering Palms students also stage a Christmas production for the holidays.
“We’re extremely impressed with the ability and quality of the presentation of our kids today,” Weindl said. “They did a marvelous job memorizing the lines and songs and acting their parts — they’re truly amazing.”
More music and more singing made yesterday’s program more appealing and entertaining, he added.
He said participation in these productions help students develop self-confidence while learning how to cooperate with their fellow students.
“More than anything, it really helps children develop a very strong sense of confidence and it is significant that they learn to memorize lines, get into a character and go out of themselves and be another person,” Weindl said.
It is also a “good gesture” on the part of the children to entertain the elderly, he added.
It is the school’s way of honoring, thanking, respecting and recognizing all the contributions of the manamko’ to the community, Weindl added.
The cast included Kristina Folta, Raina Klaver and Victoria Chentsova who all played Belle; Joon Ko as the Beast; Cody Race as Gaston; Danny Auther as Lefou; Miguel Dandan as Maurice; Clay McCullough-Stearns as Lumiere; Christian Miller as Cogsworth; Min Joo Jung as Mrs. Potts; Quintin Ramsey as Chip; Marin Nakamura as Featherduster; Gabrielle Race as the wardrobe; Hunter Thorpe as the merchant; and Jae Ko as the baker.
The other students in the production were Minori Yoshida, Sera Kim, Marina Kaku, Llia Corella, Jake and Aaron Lee, Crosby Schultz, Nicole Arenovski, Phalai Frink, Caleb Arriola, and Tommy Choi.
According to the directors, students Mi Lin Kim and Amy Arenovski, the show’s cast comprised of 29 students from fourth through eight grades.
They said it was their first time to direct an actual show.
“We’re glad that they enjoyed watching our show,” Arenovski said, adding that they started rehearsing last month to make sure that their audience would appreciate and enjoy the production.
Directing, she added, “helps us understand the art of play and teaches us leadership.”
Another dramatic arts production they staged yesterday was titled “Pooh Fiction.”
The show, which featured 23 actors, was directed by teachers Teri Arends and Goeril Hagan.
