Peter Pan at Pony Express Elementary

  March 21, 2014, 3:46 pm

By Wendy Visser Lojik

Pony Express Elementary has been doing musicals since 2008. These musicals are more than your average grade school production. "We work hard to thoroughly develop theatrical elements like character, singing voices, choreography, set, costumes and even hair and make-up," explains director Cindi Arnold. Next week the school will present their seventh production: "Peter Pan Jr". The entire production is a school and community effort. "Every teacher involved in this production donates their time to give this opportunity to children. We have dozens of parents who have volunteered countless hours to designing, sewing, building, and painting. Dozens of local businesses are sponsoring our production," said Arnold.

Briotechnologies, a sound and lighting company out of Draper, transforms the gym into a high-tech theater venue. The school is also in the process of contracting Flight by Foy to fly Peter, Tinkerbell and the Darling children.

The cast of 73 students has been rehearsing diligently since December. Cast members gave a variety of reasons for being in the production, ranging from their love of dancing and singing to just wanting to have fun. Elise Nielsen said, "The cast is nice, I think I've made more friends here than in my own class."