Kindergarteners present opera with a message

Intermountain Catholic

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The Wemmicks, some bearing stars and some bearing spots, make up the population of Wemmicksville, a land created by Eli, the ?God? figure in the opera story. The Wemmicks get stars for being outstanding and spots for not measuring up. A good number of Wemmicks have both stars and spots. IC photo by Barbara S. Lee

SALT LAKE CITY — The gymnasium at Saint Vincent de Paul Elementary School was transformed into the village of Wemmicksville April 23 and 24 for the production of the annual kindergarten opera.

"You are Special" was an original opera by this year’s kindergarten class based on the story of the same name by Max Lucado.

The opera was produced with the professional assistance of Utah Symphony and Opera Director of Education and Community Outreach Paula Flower and Utah Symphony and Opera Composer and vocal coach in residence/accompanist Jolene Clarke. The opera was directed by Mary Williams and choreographed by Michelle Armstrong.

"You are Special" tells the story of the Wemmicks of Wemmicksville, people who are not used to anyone who is different from them. Many Wemmicks have stars adorning their clothes to illustrate the good things they have done. Others wear gray spots, which show where they have failed. Many Wemmicks wear a combination of both stars and spots. Punchinello not only dresses differently from everyone else in the village, but he only has gray spots. He is rejected by the other Wemmicks and is very sad until he meets Lucia, who also dresses differently and has neither stars nor spots. She sings about being happy just the way she is.

Confused, Punchinello goes to Eli, the Creator to ask for his advice, and is surprised to learn that the Creator has always loved him just the way he is, whether the Wemmicks like him or not. Punchinello is finally happy, and so are the rest of the Wemmicks.