School tells its story
PENN TWP — In song and skit, the 200 students of Penn Christian Academy will tell their story this week in an original production.
"PCA: The Musical" tells the story of the school through the eyes of a sixth grade student. It will debut Friday.
Rachel Creaturo, school music teacher, said she was inspired to compile the musical after a seminar that encouraged students to think beyond the packaged musical. The school each year does a musical, but past scripts were purchased. Creaturo said she was intrigued by the idea of compiling her own musical.
"God laid it upon my heart, and it just kind of spiraled from there," she said.
The musical is actually along the lines of a review, she said. It doesn't have an overriding plot, but instead uses the theme of a sixth grade student looking back on his time at the school.
Sixth grade students have the only speaking parts, but each student is involved in some way.
"This is a reflection on what our school is," said production assistant Trisha Doverspike. She said the show covers the whole educational experience, including the work the staff, teachers and maintenance workers do.
The first song and the final songs are original. The four songs in the middle were previously written choir anthems and fit the theme.
The songs include a parody of an old spiritual, "Oh, Won't You Sit Down," to illustrate the kindergarten experience of always moving. A song about the maintenance workers, "Duct Tape," talks about keeping the aging school grounds together.
Penn Christian on Airport Road is the former Penn Township Elementary building. It first opened its doors in 1991 and moved to its current location in 2001. The school, which includes preschool to sixth grade, has recently announced an expansion plan that will eventually include middle school grade levels.
"From the Beginning" is an original describing God's hand on the school through the formative years, Creaturo said. And, the show wraps up with the school's alma mater, which was written by students to be included in this show.
That, Doverspike said, is her favorite part.
"I still gives me chills every time I hear it," she said.
Creaturo said with so many students it was hard to practice together in the school. Instead, she has been working in classrooms with each individual grade.
She's keeping the costumes on theme, too. The students will simply wear their school uniforms.
Because of an expected attendance larger than the school gym's capacity, the musical will be staged at Community Alliance Church. The only performance, which is free and open to anyone, will be at 7 p.m. Friday.
"I think it will a great show," Doverspike said.
