Play teaches, entertains

By PAULETTE LASH RITCHIE

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 22, 2001

CITRUS SPRINGS -- Freddie Frog was a young amphibian lost in a pond of confusion. The egrets could fly and the fireflies could shine. But what could he do?

The unhappy tadpole wasn't even interested in a hearty breakfast of bugs or flies. He had to find the answer to his question.

He did and so did the audience who came to the Citrus Springs Elementary School play Once Upon a Lily Pad, performed by the second-grade classes of Marcia Brown and Sally Throckmorton. The spring musical was "a fun way to incorporate the Sunshine State standards," Brown said.

Some standards that were addressed included listening skills, understanding non-verbal cues, speaking in front of crowds, following directions and using song and dance to enhance the presentation of a story.

The children were costumed to resemble frogs, fireflies, alligators, snakes, egrets and turtles. There was one wise owl.

"They have worked and worked," said principal Lane Vick. "They have sewed and glued and it's so good for the kids. They surely put effort into it."

The children learned songs and dances and some of them had speaking lines.

"I think it took a lot of hard work," said 8-year-old Katelyn Quigley, who played a turtle. But it was worth it, she said, because "we're going to do it for a lot of people and people can learn from it."

Fellow turtle Jackson Roessler, 8, liked the play, but said his turtle shell choked him.

Egret Crystal Bagley, 8, had different problems. Her beak itched. Her costume was a lesson for Jackson, though.

"Before, I didn't even know what an egret was," he said.

John Nowak, 8, had an observation about the wildlife in the production. He played an alligator, but in reality, he said, "Alligators don't sing."

Throckmorton said the play really got the parents involved. "Parents raised all the money for this," she said. She was pleased with contributions from the community as well. Supporters included Kimberly's Ice Cream Parlor, C.J.'s Transmissions, Citrus Urology Associates, P.A., Florida Power Corp. and Crystal River Bank.

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