There has been a flurry of activity at Magothy River Middle School over the past few weeks as students work out the final details of their spring production of the family favorite "Cinderella" to be performed this Thursday and Friday.

Friends Haley Winans and Vivian Wingard are enjoying their roles as Cinderella's obnoxious step-sisters. "We get to show off and be really crazy," said Haley. "Sometimes it's neat to let all that silliness out."

This is the third musical production on which MRMS chorus teacher Briana Gresko and April Pierman, the AVID teacher, have collaborated.

"We chose 'Cinderella' this year after considering many popular musicals which come in abridged form for this age group," said Gresko. "Of the shows we were considering, 'Cinderella' was clearly the best fit for our school, based on the quality of this adaptation for middle school students. Both April and I grew up watching the 1965 version of Rodgers and Hammerstein's production starring Lesley Ann Warren, and we both love it."

Assisting the production for costumes and set pieces is Jane Wingard of 2nd Star Productions in Bowie who is Vivian's grandmother.

"She, members of 2nd Star, and parent volunteers, Teresa Todd and Stacie McNeal, have spent many hours working on these backstage elements," said Greko. "One of our art teachers, Laquel Ling, was gracious enough to lend us her classroom and supplies to make some of the props in the show. Our Tech Ed teacher, Ken Baughman, created our carriage along with some help from members of our Tech Crew."

UMBC student Malarie Novotny serves as the Assistant Director for the show, and Matt Harnden, another local college student, was able to return for the third time to choreograph the few larger dance numbers in this show.

Though it is many hours of hard work, Gresko enjoys the challenge of producing such a show.

"I do the musical because I loved performing in shows as a student," said Gresko. "I was very shy as a child but my involvement in school and community theatre productions helped me emerge from my shell as I discovered a love for performing. Providing this opportunity for my students is my way of giving back to the people who nurtured me and my musical growth, and it's a delight to be a part of facilitating the transformation process that the students experience as they participate in our production."

Advance tickets are $7 for seating in the first three rows and $5 for the remaining seats. Tickets are $6 at the door. Contact Mrs. Gresko at bgresko@aacps.org for more information.