A group of students in Coaldale are about to take to the stage in a unique Broadway musical.
R. I. Baker Middle School is now in its final week of preparations for “Snoopy, The Musical” to be presented nightly from March 24 to 27 at the school. This is the second year the school had undertaken a theatre production.
Alison Stewart, who is part of a team of directors, said she grew up on theatre at the former Baker school and is excited to give the current Baker students the same opportunities she had as a student.
“I just value a musical education,” she said.
“Theatre is an avenue that any student can take, whether they are gifted, talented or not.”
She is sharing directing duties with fellow teacher Jeff Smith and local dance instructor Geri Unger. Jacquie Harms is handling all of the accompaniment on the piano for the show and Deanna Smith is doing all of the makeup and costumes for the production.
“We really work well together,” said Stewart.
They were able to secure the rights for the show in October and have been in rehearsals five days a week since the fall.
The show has been double cast in order to give as many students as possible the opportunity to perform. The musical was first performed on Broadway with a seven-member ensemble cast.
For the Baker show the big production numbers have been turned into chorus pieces so a larger number of students can be involved. Close to 50 students auditioned for the show and everyone, about 45 students, who wanted to put the time in to rehearsing are able to be a part of the cast.
Stewart notes the show is really built around the middle school philosophy of including everyone who wants to put in the work to make the show possible.
The double cast of lead actors each bring a different energy to their roles and are also working well together, coaching each other in their parts.
“The kids are dedicated,” said Stewart. Tickets for the show are available at the school at $7 for adults and $5 for youth, those five to 17 years of age.