California fifth graders perform 'A Kid's Life'

California fifth graders performing 'A Kid's Life' learn how to make and fly paper airplanes.
California fifth graders performing 'A Kid's Life' learn how to make and fly paper airplanes.

The California fifth graders performed the musical, "A Kid's Life," April 20 at the California High School, under the direction of Stacy Friedrich.

The theme song, "A Kid's Life," served as both the beginning number and the ending reprise.

Other pieces performed by the fifth-graders were "Let the Games Begin," "Paper Airplane," "Clouds," "Ghost Story," "Jump Rope Rock" and "The Good Time Family Band."

As the story begins, all of the young people are on their electronic devices. Then, all the electricity goes out, really stressing out the youngsters who have become dependent on lights, iPhones, iPads, computers and all things electronic.

According to the commentator, all electricity and electronics were blocked by an intergalactic force. The idea is that without electronics, everything is boring.

Grandpa (Cody Bolfing) and Grandma (Isabelle Rohrbach) come on the scene and tell the young people how it was in the old days - back in 1968 - before all of the electronics were available.

As they sing "Let the Games Begin," the youngsters learn about board games and bingo. Later, they learn how to make paper airplanes as they sing "Paper Airplanes."

From there, they go on to telling each other what some of the clouds look like, such as "a rhinoceros chasing an elephant," as they sing "Clouds." Continuing on to other entertainment, Grandpa tells a ghost story, frightening some of the children.

They, then take up jumping rope, after Grandma tells them she was the jump-rope champ of 1947. They do individual and team rope jumping as everyone dances and sings a lively tune "Jump Rope Rock."

From there, they proceed to singing "The Good-Time Family Band," as they learn how to make music without instruments. They make a rhythm section, including a bucket as a small drum, a large trash can as a bigger drum, a mop and wash tub, and a washboard.

The intergalactic force stops blocking the signals and the power returns, then Mom (Morgan Campbell) and Dad (Layne Tiberghien) come back, and ask how everything has been. "Boring" is the answer. Then, they repeat "A Kid's Life."

The cast of characters are: Voiceover - Brayden Fields, Mark - Jonas Villagomez, Amy - Reagan Lewis, Pat - Paige Morris, Jerry - Logen Oldham, John - Nathaniel DeCosta, Jennifer - Emilee Weedon, Kid #1 - Lilianna Moro-Donnell, Laura- Piper Oppermann, Kid #2 - Haley Winkler, Emily - Madison Jones, Man - Colin Althoff, Matthew - Ian Currens, Kid #3 - Skip Figgins, Charlie - Austin Suen, Kid #4 - Nova Wolard, Claire - Allison Marsh, Gary - Will Boyd, Mom - Morgan Campbell, Julie - Hillary Roney, Dad - Layne Tiberghien, Michele - Camryn Wingate, Julia - Emmary Williams, Susie - Macie Trimble, Erik - Gavin Mitchem, Cassie - Kelsey Wadley, Grandpa - Cody Bolfing, Jesse - Walker Friedmeyer, Grandma - Isabelle Rohrbach, Kate - Courtney Potter, Sophia - Olivia Mills, Kent - Christian Jenkins, Carrie - Mabree Cooper, Debbie - Myra Silvey, Anders - Ethan Jacques, Kevin - Gavin Porter, Jakob - Taytm Walker, Penelope - Ella Bailey, Elise - Samantha Davis, Sherry - Yaretzi-Alaffa Corona, Kim - DeLayna Bell, Steve - Hayden Furcinite, Gregory - Kwynnon Duvall, Jeffrey - Andy Redden, Kaley - Natalie Asmus, Jimmy - Alexis Anguiano, Brett - Ayden Bryant, Judy - Jordyn Hagenhoff, Charades Actor - Izzy Fields, Joan - Evy McGill, Bingo Caller - Quynten Carey, Bingo Player - Andrew Reed, A Kid's Life Kids - Michael Almazan, Jaylen Dueber, Heaven Zurmiller, Dillon Wood, Rhea Gerhardt, Alexis Agudao, Omar Garcia and Westin Brizendine; Charades Players - Hailee Purl, Hannah Mahan, Kade Garrison, Jackson Hackett and Triana Campos; Ghost Story Kids - Hayden Gensler, Xavier Smith-Anderson, Brylee Birdsong, Andrew Reed, Nathaniel Brewer, Alex Thomas, Christopher Giesing and Brayden Purnell; Jump Rope Rock - Madysen Brown, Ashlyn Johnson, Trinity Mosier and Morgan Newkirk; Paper Airplane Kids - Cadence Vanderpool, Alex Leon, Emilee Purl, Derek Vaquera, Grace Balderas, Cesar Leon, Dylan Dotson and Austin Wood; and the Good Time Family Band - Landon Walk, Eduardo Garcia-Perez, Eliza Fortner, Madilyn Schmidt, Albert Osio and Kristian Tucker.

See additional photos from this performance in the April 26, 2017 issue of the California Democrat newspaper.