With the turkeys on strike and the happy thought of taking a featured spot on the Thanksgiving dinner plate, enthusiastic cranberries became an audience favorite in the musical, "The Turkeys Go On Strike." Dressed in cranberry red and singing, "We are just a side dish on the table of life, now it's time for us to be the star," are (from left) Donovan Insley, Logan Rickley, Riley Kita, Katoni Rickley, Chelsey Coleman, and Madison Barkley. The play was performed by second grade students at St. Ignace Elementary School. A performance was given Friday morning, November 20, to kindergarten and first grade students before parents took seats during an afternoon showing. While the turkeys went on strike, the cranberries stole the show at St. Ignace Elementary School Friday, November 20, during the second grade Thanksgiving play. In the musical comedy, "The Turkeys Go On Strike," football players protested the turkeys' action, Native Americans helped pilgrims, the pilgrims were thankful, the public was unhappy, mediators sought a resolution, and reporters covered the events.

"The biscuits were hard, the water went bad, the meat was as tender as wood, after 66 days and 66 nights, oh, did the new world look good," sing the pilgrims. Performing before kindergarten and first grade classes, pilgrims singing are (from left) Austin Hepker, Jayna Bearss, Joseph Kelly, Kylie Killscrow, Olivia Luepnitz, and Anthony Rickley. "I know for sure, everybody liked it," said student Nicholas Allers, following the first performance.

The second grade student, who portrayed a turkey, said getting dressed in the turkey costume his mother, Janet, made and singing were his favorite parts of the play. He also carried a protest sign marked, "I'm Sick." Other turkeys joined him with signs including "Eat Fish," "Pick Berries," "Husk Corn," and "We Quit."

With the turkeys on strike, Pilgrims prepare to celebrate with a Thanksgiving meal without the fowl. Pilgrims pictured are (from left) Chelsey Coleman, Olivia Luepnitz, and Anthony Rickley. The enthusiastic cranberries, however, took advantage of this opening, and with their bright red outfits and their happy dance, they celebrated becoming a more important part of the Thanksgiving day meal since the turkeys went on strike.

"Always on the side, never in the middle, how it hurts our pride, playing second fiddle...We are just a side dish on the table of life, now it's time for us to be the star," sang the cranberries during their musical number. "All we ask for is a shot at the big time, a moment in the sun, a place at the front of the line, a seat in the orchestra..."

After five weeks of practice, memorizing lines, and learning songs and routines, students in Amy Metz' and Helena Shepard's classrooms presented two performances of the musical, a matinee to kindergarden and first grade students and an afternoon show to parents.

Suspicious that turkeys are disappearing after Thanksgiving, the birds are on strike. Pick berries and eat fish or sweet potatoes, they sing, but no more turkey. Waving protest signs and singing their song are (from left) Nicholas Allers, Eden Sanborn, Mercades Harper, and Chance Morningstar. "I had kids who couldn't even sleep last night, they were so excited," said Mrs. Shepard about her students. "They were so excited about performing their musical today."

The students learned by reading lines, memorizing speeches and songs, and speaking in public, said Mrs. Metz. In the classroom, the students learned about the meaning of the play.

Riley Kita, who enjoyed playing a cranberry, said she understood the message of the musical.

"Thanksgiving is not about turkey," she said. "It is about all the things you're thankful for."

Allison Colegrove, the play's narrator, and Lily McLean were so excited about performing in the play they even studied their lines during recess.

"We took our scripts outside and were practicing," said Miss McLean, who had two roles, playing a Native American and a member of the public.

Joseph Kelly, who portrayed a pilgrim, said he had to learn two songs.

"It was very fun," he said after the first performance.

His reaction was echoed by many of the students, who liked their parts, the costumes, the music, and the movements, although perhaps none were quite as enthusiastic as Lauren Lee, who played a Native American.

"It was very, very, very fun doing it," she said.

The musical ended with its message, made clear as all characters gathered and sang in unison, "It's not about turkey, it's not about Thursday, and it's not about playing ball. We call it Thanksgiving 'cause it's thanks we are giving. Now it's time to thank one and all."

LaSalle High School art students helped create the set by painting the backdrop. Artists were Jessica Bentley, Katie Frosland, Chelsea Cowell, and Heather LaVake.