The East Holmes fifth and sixth-grade classes presented their version of The Emperor’s New Clothes on Tuesday, April 19, at the Perry Reese Center at Hiland High School in Berlin.

The musical, under music director Julia Shoup, starred Kurtis Yoder as the king who was too vain to realize he was being duped by two shady characters, played by Tyson Gingerich and Ben Beechy. His wife, the queen, played by Tiffany Hershberger, was too embarrassed to admit she could not see the invisible clothing either, nor could her daughter the princess, played by Kelsey Yoder. Not until their son the prince, played by Tristen Troyer, is bold enough to come out with his honest opinion do the people of the town, as well as the royal family, understand that their vanity has allowed the king to parade around town in his longjohns.

The court herald was played by Braden Mast, the trumpeter was Hunter Yoder, the artist was played by Chris Cline, while the king’s ministers were played by Aaron Nisley, Michaela Yoder, Garrett Miller, Michael Miller, Jodi Miller, Shauna Kline, Michaela Kandel and Jessica Troyer.

For the first time, Shoup had an assistant director, Claire Lewis, a Dalton High School graduate who recently completed her student teaching at Walnut Creek and Berlin elementary schools.

“It seemed like this winter we have had so many different roadblocks, which caused delays in the practice schedule, but in the end the kids worked hard and pulled through,” said Shoup. “Between weather, assemblies and other things, we had trouble staying on schedule, but they did great.”

Shoup said that while she was leery at the thought of having an assistant director, she praised Lewis for her work, saying, “Claire was a vital part of this musical, and she did a fantastic job. It was a great experience for all of us.”