Recess, Pinocchio Are Performed on Stage by Students

Morgan Brodeur-Bunker (left) took on the role of Cricky and Pinocchio was played by Anthony Rickley in "Hey Ho, Pinocchio."

Two plays were performed by Mackinac Island students Wednesday, March 8. Under the direction of teacher Karen Allen, fourth and fifth grade students presented the play "Recess," while sixth and seventh grade students performed "Hey Ho, Pinocchio."

"Recess" is a musical by Keith Jackson about a substitute teacher who faces a class of wisecracking students.

"The kids did an incredible job," said Ms. Allen. "Kids sang solos, danced, and hammed it up. They projected their voices and for the first time I haven't had to use microphones."

Island students appearing in the play included Hailey Bean, Adrienne Rilenge, Collin Armstrong, Lou Clark, Amelia Roe, Jessica Beaune, Colton Fisher, Onaca Bennett, Leo Horn, Ivie Leadens, Paul Wandrie, Hailey Armstrong, and Zhan'e Nash. "Hey Ho, Pinocchio" was written by Eleanor

and Ray Harder and based on the classic story "Pinocchio" by Carlo Collodi. The play presented by students offered a modern message about choosing the right friends and about caring for others.

Portraying the dancing puppets in "Hey Ho, Pinocchio" are (from left) Austin Ruddle, Devon Hunt, Austin Jaruzel, Jesse Straight, and Caleb Kolatski.

Actors in the muscial included Blake Ruddle, Andrew Chambers, Morgan Brodeur-Bunker, Maggie Chambers, Austin Jaruzel, Ashley Gough, Anthony Rickley, Robert Chaffee, Devon Hunt, Caleb Kolatski, Austin Ruddle, Jesse Straight, and Marie Bunker. Art instructor Pam Finkel and school board trustee Trish Martin also took part.

Jessica Clark, who teaches government to 9th and 10th grade students, provided the music. Special education teacher Andrea McClintock and Liz Burt, who teaches mathematics and science, worked on scenery and props.

Both plays were open to the public and performed in the school's small gymnasium.

Adrienne Rilenge (left) is the substitute teacher Miss Quackenbush and Hailey Bean is principal Miss Crabapple in the play, "Recess." (Play photographs courtesy of Susan Bennett) Classroom students in "Recess" are (front, from left) Onaca Bennett, Lou Clark, and Amelia Roe; (back) Jessica Beaune, Z'hane Nash, and Colton Fisher. (From left) Puppet master Robert Chaffee talks with Mr. Fox, played by Trish Martin, and Marie Bunker, who was Madam Cat in "Hey Ho, Pinocchio."