Musical Theater Club presents 'Moana'

Last weekend, audiences young and old gathered to see “Moana” by the Musical Theater Club of Coe Elementary School. After months of progressive learning and lots of practice with their director, Krista Carreiro, the cast made up of 3rd 4th and 5th graders got to do three very well-received performances.

Oriana Turow played the title role of Moana and deftly belted out “How Far I’ll Go” in her strong but sweet voice. She said it was really fun to have such a supportive audience filled with friends and family. 

“When I was under the spotlight, I tried to show off all I could do and had a blast,” she said.

Her mother, Dr. Rachel Turow, said it was thrilling to watch the kids on stage, “I was so impressed with the whole cast and the creative direction.”

Vaeda Caruso played Moana’s grandmother, Gramma Tala. She said the role was challenging but that she really loved working with the large cast. 

From left: Emma Brown, Eleanor Williams, and Sloane Capps, as Tamatoa And The Claws, sing “Shiny” in the Coe Musical Theater Club production of Moana last weekend.

“Usually before I go on stage I get a little nervous. But I step onto the stage and all my fear goes away and I feel overjoyed and in character,” Caruso said.

There were lots of kids playing a variety of roles. From villagers to sea creatures to dancers in blue personifying the ocean, this production had it all.

Eleanor J P Williams, Emma Brown, and Sloane Capps worked together to play Tamatoa and the Claws. Brown said, “It was an amazing experience and I loved working with everyone as a team!” Between the three of them, they did a song and dance with six legs and two pinchers to create the gargantuan coconut crab that loved “Shiny” things.

Williams said, “I had a lot of fun and I hope everyone laughed.”

And Capps added, “I loved performing and seeing everyone’s smiling faces at the end!”