Cranston East last year successfully performed the musical, "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" and the community was hooked on student musicals.

This year, Kaitlin Hitchings, Assistant Principal for Academic Affairs reprised her role(s) as Director, hair, make up, costume designer and prop mistress to bring the beloved Peanuts musical to live.

This past weekend, April 28 & 29, saw the weeks of rehearsals pay off for everyone.

Cranston received a grant from RIDE (Rhode Island Department of Education). According to the information, RIDE launched an innovative, $5 million art education support effort. Under the new ARTS Initiative, funding is based on the number of students, and each district or charter school will receive a grant of at least $10,000 to support the arts in their schools as they see fit. Schools and districts will also be eligible to receive additional grants for the arts. Cranston. received $328,840.

The Grants can be used to purchase items such as musical instruments, art supplies and audio/visual or culinary equipment. They can also be used to create murals, add art installations, support performing arts or even an artist in residence. Schools choose the most impactful use of funds.

Hitchings picked this particular play due to it's upbeat, positive sweetness.

"I wanted something that was enjoyable for the kids, relatable to the school and appeal to a broad scope of an audience," she said.

Every student who came to auditions is involved in the show. There are 25 students in the cast and crew combined.

Several of the cast members have actually been involved in theater outside of school for years.  Amaryllis Miller, a freshman was in the touring company of The Sound of Music from 2017-2018.

"I've done lots of theater, my whole life," she said. “I'm comfortable on the stage. I knew this would be a good way to make friends.”

"Miss Hitchings brought musical theater back to East. She brought excitement for the arts," said senior Eve Grady.

Making time for rehearsals in the spring it certainly easier for the senior students.

"I truly regretted not doing the play last year. This year, even though I am busy, I made sure to get involved," said Senior Bella Ba. Bella is Battalion Commander for JROTC, Senior class President and President of the National Honor Society, and captain of the tennis team, amongst all her other outside activities.

The main cast was; Charlie Brown: Theodore Pfeiffer ‘23, Lucy Van Pelt: Isabella Ba ‘23, Linus Van Pelt: Amaryllis Miller ‘26, Snoopy: Eve Grady ‘23, Schroeder: Connor Pyne '24, Sally Brown: Kirsten McConnell ‘24 and Woodstock: Anika Poshkus ‘23.

The ensemble was composed of: Haley Connor ‘26, Liam Derosa ‘25, Nina Houle '25, Yeimi Vaquerano '25 and Sophie Walsh ‘26. Student Tech Crew included: Rachel Castillo ‘24, Sophie Eccleston ‘24, Madelyn Hart ‘26, Pangzong Kue ‘26, Jackson Melino ‘26, Alyssa Short '24 and Jennifer Vo '25. Senior Anika Poshkus was excited to be a part of the play.

"I have also done lots of theater in the past. But, I wanted to do this one as a senior year send off," she said.

After two performances, the show was considered a big hit.

"We had an amazing showing this weekend.  Wonderful audiences, and a great success,"  said Hitchings

Former East music parent,, Shelley Fusco echoed the sentiment.

"The show was amazing. The kids were so talented with great acting and singing. I definitely give it two thumbs up," she said.