The Poinsettia Elementary School auditorium was abuzz Wednesday night as parents, siblings, and friends filed in to watch the third grade class perform renditions of Broadway hits.

Songs from Oklahoma!, South Pacific, Annie, and Peter Pan, as well as other Broadway shows were performed, complete with choreography and props.

As the audience waited for the performance to start, most of the kids were eagerly waiting for their moment to shine.

Kenny Vanleewhen said her son was “very, very, very excited.”

Cindy Johnson said her son was “looking forward to doing it because he’s never done anything like this before.”

The opening song, “Let Me Entertain You,” was followed by two numbers from Oklahoma!, including “Surrey With the Fringe on Top” during which the students danced with fringed umbrellas.

To prepare for the 16 songs and dances, the students had to practice almost everyday leading up to the performance. According to Poinsettia teacher Stacey Eckstrom, who helped coordinate event, the kids practiced about an hour a day during the week leading up to the performance.

“I catch my little boy just singing in front of the mirror and doing the moves.” Vanleewhen said.

There was a variety of acts, including soloists, small groups, and numbers with dancing and costumes.

Many of the kids said that they had fun learning all the different songs during their daily practices.

“They’re third graders, they have a lot of energy,” Eckstrom  said. She also claimed that the most challenging part of putting on the event was “helping them to learn stage presence…there’s just so many details of being up onstage.”

Even with all the practice and excitement building up, there were still some backstage butterflies.

Eckstrom said one of her concerns was “the nervousness that children experience from being up onstage in front of an audience for the first time.”

The show ended with a performance of “Cabaret,” and a tip of all of the kid’s top hats.

Credit: Katie Sones/The Foothill Dragon Press