MS Students Shine in 'Captain Louie Jr.'

It was a night to remember for the middle school as the cast of “Captain Louie, Jr.” put on its final performance Friday night for family members and friends transforming the auditorium into a true night at the theater.

About 48 students, all girls, except for one boy, made up the stars and ensemble bringing this show, which features music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, to life. 

The play centers around main character “Louie” who is lonesome for her old neighborhood. She takes a trip with her little red plane back to her old neighborhood to visit with old friends. The story takes her through fun times with the old friends she holds dear and brings her to the understanding that she really can make new friends in her new neighborhood.

The cast sang and danced through songs like “Trick or Treat” where members sported masks or witch hats and other Halloween type costumes and “New Kid in the Neighborhood” where the audience is introduced to the character of Louie who sings “sitting on the curb staring at the wall, nothing much to do, when you’re the new kid, the new kid in the neighborhood.”

Eighth grade student Sabrina Chedid, who had the starring role as Louie, said she really enjoyed being in the show. She is a veteran of the middle school performances, having performed in all the shows since she entered the school.

It was the second year that eighth grade student Vasi Motsios, who played Amy,  has been in the middle school production. She says she absolutely loves being in the play and is sure to sign up every year.

High school drama teacher Erin Schneeweiss once again directed the play along with assistant director Michelle Fernandes. Schneeweiss, affectionately known by students as “Schnee” has been doing the middle school and high school shows for 24 years.

At the end of the performance the students honored both Fernandes and Schneeweiss. The students told the audience that Schneeweiss gets the biggest thank you of all as she is the one that really turns transforms them all into their characters.