“Shipley’s Starlight Sounds” Thrills Audiences At “Mini Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival”

For 15 years, Shipley’s Choice Elementary School fourth and fifth grade students have danced and sang a wide range of chart-topping hits from across the decades. On May 2 and 3, the students once again put on Grammy-worthy performances in “Shipley’s Starlight Sounds,” this year’s “Mini Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival” show that included a total of 92 cast and tech crew members.

Shipley’s music teacher Caitlan Peachey served again as director. “Our ‘Mini Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival’ is something the kids look forward to as soon as they start elementary school,” Peachey said. “I like the creative freedom the format gives me and our choreographers because we can choose songs that fit the kids who participate each year.”

Students auditioned last November and put in a tremendous amount of time to perfect their dances and songs. The hard work was evident as they showcased their talents during 20 numbers spanning diverse genres, tempos and musical decades from the ‘60s through the 2000s.

While the audience enjoyed the show, Peachey couldn’t help but express pride in how each participant commanded the stage.

“My favorite part is watching the kids grow from the beginning and seeing them evolve into stronger vocalists and dancers by the end of the production,” Peachey explained. “The kids were extremely talented and versatile with strengths in every single area, and were willing to work hard to make the show a success by practicing outside of school.”

The show opened with an all-cast performance of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts’ 1981 song, “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll.” The song fired up both the cast and the audience. For the rest of the show, the kids demonstrated the opening act’s title through their full voices and intricate choreography.

Carter Herring is a fifth grader who danced in “Hip to Be Square” by Huey Lewis and the News from 1986, “Let’s Go Crazy,” by Prince & The Revolution from 1984, and the all-cast numbers. The crowd loved his performance as Michael Jackson.

“My favorite song was ‘Thriller’ because I was Michael Jackson while everybody else were zombies,” Carter said with a smile. “I did all of his signature moves, too.”

The “Starlight Sounds” production was fifth grader Felicity Gangl’s second “Mini Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival” show. In addition to the all-cast numbers, Felicity danced in “Thriller,” ABBA’s 1976 “Dancing Queen,” and the Cheetah Girls’ 2006 “Strut.” Her favorite number was “Lean on Me” by Club Nouveau from 1986, in which she also sang.

“The best thing about my favorite song, ‘Lean on Me,’ was that I can sing and feel free at the same time,” Felicity explained. “I understand the lyrics and what they’re saying. It feels like I can sing to it and dance to it because I understand the song.”

The dynamic evening closed with a rousing all-cast performance of “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” the title track from the 1987 movie “Dirty Dancing.” It was the perfect closing number that captured the spirit of the students’ time at Shipley’s Choice Elementary School.

“I really want to thank all of the parents who volunteered and spent countless hours making sure each detail was considered, and the kids looked and sounded amazing,” Peachey said. “Our parents were meticulous behind the scenes, and our set and costume committee did a great job working with the students to find the perfect look for set and costumes.”