By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City Elementary School’s annual spring musical played to rave reviews Friday night at the Civic Auditorium.
After months of auditioning and countless practice sessions, approximately 240 students from the third and fourth grades performed “Finding Nemo Kids” in front of an adoring audience of family members and friends.
Organizers estimated over 750 persons were in attendance for the performance, which UCES Music teacher Katie Tohn orchestrated.
Preparations for the event began in January, with auditions for speaking parts in the production. Classes began practicing featured songs in March.
A final dress rehearsal was held Friday afternoon, with the remainder of the Union City Elementary School student body in attendance, prior to the evening’s scheduled performance.
In a random act of kindness, each student who had a role in the show – no matter how small or large – was given a rose, donated by Wal-Mart Store Manager David Harris.
Though she spearheaded the musical, Tohn was quick to praise the considerable help she received from fellow faculty and staff members at UCES.
“We had people who volunteered countless hours to create scenery and costumes and help students learn choreography and dialogue,” Tohn said. “I honestly could not have made this production work without them.
“(UCHS/MS music and drama teacher) Allison Butner was also a tremendous and invaluable resource in helping with lights and sound.”
The UC Elementary School spring musical is a long-standing tradition at the school, dating back to the early 1980s.