Update: "Charlotte's Web" performances on Saturday, Jan. 21, were cancelled because of the snow. Tickets purchased for those shows can be exchanged for admission to any of Sunday's shows.

"This is awesome" said one kindergarten student after another Friday morning as they spilled into the Parkland High School auditorium for a special presentation of the classic children's show, "Charlotte's Web."

And that was before the high school production -- which opens to the public this weekend -- even got under way. 

The morning kindergarten students from Parkland's eight elementary schools were looking at the stage, curtain up, and the show's props, which included a big red barn. And when the show began, all the familiar characters were there -- Charlotte, Wilbur, the Goose, Templeton, the Owl and others.

In all, some 60 students in grades 9 to 12 are part of the cast and stage crew putting on this year's annual children's show at Parkand High School, said Director John Greth, who teaches English at the high school.

In discussing what play to produce, he said, "Charlotte's Web" kept coming up as a favorite children's classic. And the message, he said, is a good one: "Friendship can triumph over anything. As long as you are a good friend and have a good friend, great things will happen for you."

The show is upfront about what happens, in the end, to Charlotte in the circle of life, he said, but there is a message there too about happy memories. 

The Details:

When: 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21; 1 p.m. and 4 p.m on Sunday, Jan. 22.

Where: Parkland High School

Cost: Adults, $10; seniors and children, $5.

Where to get tickets: Available at the door on show days, and in advance at the box office at the high school at 2700 N. Cedar Crest Blvd. Box office hours will be extended on Jan. 18, 19 and 20 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ticket order forms can be mailed to the box office. 

The Cast

Meredith Lipson, 9th grade, as Fern Arable

Harrison Eckert, 9th grade, as John Arable 

Meg Harris, 9th grade, as Martha Arable

Jarret Geist, 10th grade, as Avery Arable

Kyle Dalrymple, 9th grade, as Homer Zuckerman 

Taylor Lessig, 9th grade, as Edith Zuckerman 

Samantha Curry, 9th grade, as Lurvey

Bryan Sobczak, 9th grade, as Wilbur 

Victoria Bartkavage, 9th grade, as Templeton 

Hannah Cwienkala, 10th grade, as Charlotte

Shannon Cassel, 9th grade, as Goose

Ann Fox, 10th grade, as Gander

McKenzie Kupres, 10th grade, as Sheep

Kylie Buck, 9th grade, as Lamb

Gray Schick, 9th grade, as Uncle

Matt Rossetti, 9th grade, as Bat

A. J. Gerry as Owl

Moobi Ansari as Announcer