Full Text:

Touring The 20th Century

(with cut)

BY ANN MARIE COHEN

Students at Sandy Hook Elementary School sped rapidly through the 20th

Century, whisking through highlights of each decade. And what an enjoyable

trip it was!

The production "Wow! What a Century" was performed by the Pushcart Players, a

repertory theater for children. Actors provided its young audience with a view

of the century dramatized by costume, music and dance.

The advent of the car, train, plane and space travel were all captured on

stage along with the many inventions that were discovered in this era, such as

electricity, telephone, television and the computer.

Historical events and figures were portrayed with facts as well as humor that

was Chaplinesque, at times. The Great Depression and World War I were

reenacted as students watched with wide-eyed wonder, only to be entertained by

"Elvis Presley" moments later.

Changing fashion was artfully reflected by the many costume changes and

shifting sets.

The strength and character of the generation was captured by the characters'

endless optimism, even when they were faced with adversity.

A cast of four put on this marvelous, Broadway-like production. What a fun way

to celebrate the millennium!