FORT RILEY, Kan. - About 90 fifth-grade students from Ware Elementary School performed the classical Christmas musical "The Nutcracker" for parents, siblings and friends Dec. 11 at the school.
The students began practicing for the musical shortly after auditions in early September. The musical was under the direction of Ware Elementary School music teachers Freedom Brass and Susan Gillespie.
Marie and the Nutcracker were portrayed by Joanna McGrath and Matthew Foley, while the Judge and the Prince were portrayed by Auston Weigle and Adrian Martin.
Along with the lead characters, the remaining Ware Elementary School fifth graders danced and sung their way through the production as the Nutcracker's Army, Sugar Plum Fairies, Candy Flutes, Arabians, Chinese Tea Cup Dancers, Russian Bakers, members of the Mouse Army and Flowers.
Following a Dec. 10 dress rehearsal, McGrath, who said she hopes to be a professional actress one day, said she was not nervous about portraying Marie and felt lucky to have the opportunity.
"I feel good because I got a lead part, and I am really lucky to have that. There were a lot of people who tried out for the part," she said.
Foley said he also was excited about portraying the Nutcracker.
"I am a little nervous, but it feels really cool because I've never gotten to be in a lead role in a play before," he said.
In addition to directing the musical, Brass and Gillespie spent many hours creating costumes for the production.
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