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Boardman elementary students pay tribute to Hollywood
BOARDMAN
It’s a good day for an elementary student when Anna and Elsa from Disney’s “Frozen” show up to school.
Robinwood Lane students got to see some of their favorite movie characters Wednesday when more than 60 fourth-graders put on a production of “Lights! Camera! Action!,” a musical Hollywood tribute.
Annie Oakley, Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz,” Olaf from “Frozen,” Cinderella, Harry Potter, the Queen of Hearts, Darth Vader and many others took the stage and performed some show-biz favorites.
Looking back on 40 years at Boardman schools, retiring elementary music director Dean Wilson said this show stands out as one of his favorites.
“This one we did today was the most enjoyable,” he said.
Students performed hits from “The Sound of Music,” “The Polar Express” and “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.”
Mackenzie Wigley led the group in a rendition of the “Frozen” hit “Let It Go.”
A highlight of the show was a performance of “Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better” from “Annie Get Your Gun.” The duet came across as more of a duel of voices between Genevieve Quinlan and Emily Choleva. Emily is a Market Street Elementary student who met Genevieve through Easy Street Productions.
The show ended with “Best Years of Our Lives” from “Shrek.”
The production, which wraps up today at Market Street Elementary, is Wilson’s last big show. He took a moment Wednesday to reflect on his career.
“It’s been a long time, and I’ve enjoyed every moment with my boys and girls at Boardman schools ... doing what I love best — making music with those I love,” he said.
For the last 12 of those 40 years, Jan Zorman, a language-arts teacher at Robinwood Lane, accompanied Wilson as a pianist.
“We’re neighbors. So it’s been great to work with your neighbor,” she said. “He’s very animated. He can make something out of nothing. He’s phenomenal — hard replacement.”
Genevieve and Emily both said they’ll miss Wilson.
“He’s taught us how to read notes, and just blurt it out, and be yourself — don’t worry,” Genevieve said.
“He taught us how to project ... and taught kids how to express themselves,” Emily said.
“Each [show] is unique and fun to do,” Wilson said. “I’m going to miss it terribly. The kids make me feel like a rock star. How many jobs are like that?”