 to share with you and the students and the teachers who are waiting for it. Welcome to the winter night of the year. The art show is in the media center library, which will open back up after the performances. There's also a book sale going on in there. So please go and see all the wonderful art your kids have been doing this year. I'm Ms. McEwen, I'm a theater arts teacher here at the high school, and I just wanted to remind you, although I'm sure some of you do not need reminding, that today is 10 days, not 10 school days, 10 calendar days, since our school was shut down for three weeks. The students on stage tonight have put this show together for you, despite not having access to this space. The rehearsals, to their costumes, props, to their instruments, and to one another. And we are incredibly proud of what they have accomplished. We are also grateful to their parents and caregivers for raising such resilient and adaptable kids. Thank you so much. Winter celebration of the arts. I am Eddie One, and this is Eddie Two. We will be your narrators for this evening's show. The first play, the final interrogation of Shoshescu's dog, takes us to a small room in Bucharest, Romania. It is New Year's Eve, 1989, six days after the dictator of 24 years was executed. Being interrogated in this scene is the local dog of Nicolai Shoshescu. What is that stake is the dog's life? Remaining loyal to the deposed dictator carries a penalty of death. Story? It's based on a true story. So the dog is real? Shoshescu was executed for crimes against his own people. And he had a dog. Yes, he had a dog. Was it cute? You have to save yourself. Even though he gave you to her, I've always seen that's my truth, master. Your master was a cruel and ruthless tyrant who brought misery to his people and shame to his nation. I am Dr. Shoshescu. And my relationship with the pen is the relationship of man to doctor. You do acknowledge that your master was a tyrant. Why could he have been stern, I will say that. And the daughter would have saved us many. Just pride and joy. And I know nothing but love and affection for him. We are talking about the most reviled despot in our nation's history. You do realize that anyone still loyal to him is subject to the death penalty? Listen, where is my master? The street's whole thing happened. And you'll be sorry. Let me tell you. Your master is dead. He was shot, like a dog, in the courtyard as he tried to flee the people's wrath on Christmas Day. He travels to L'Occitaneu. Just last month he was in Irvine. People love him wherever he goes. He told me so. Your master's dead. He's gone straight to the grave or he will burn for all of time. I see. Do you? No. I have to be gone. The people believe you are beyond reform. I am single dog user. But you live on important meat. Well, our people were starving. You ate the finest meal. Something's never stinking. Well, people starve. I did not see any. He pitched them to self. But what do you do? Vitamins flow in from crops. I hated that. Again, because of the allergies. How do you feel about the sacrifices people were making? The suffering they endured while you were pampered. People always loved you. And because he slapped you, he was put to death. Is that correct? I was not slapped by him again. You bit the hand that fed you. Sure. Are you aware that it might cause suffering? You bit the man's hand. Yes. He was trying to feed you. Yes. Yes. We've known for this. Fit you. Yes. Did you not? Brr. He's dead. You don't know him. The interrogation cannot end until... It was Bahara. It was the feel of it. But it's Jesus. No, you're excited about it. Broke was bred. You are simple dog. Here, Sister Cammie. That's a good question. We're going to see you rated our movie. About the thing you know. I'm not a kid. You can't judge me. What is it? Ask me what I think you're asking me. I'm not serious. See, this is the kind of thing Caroline Reynolds would never do. There are no monsters under your bed. Are you sure? Don't be ridiculous, Ella. Keep a check on me. Good night, Ella. Happy birthday, or whatever. Close to me. Well, today's my birthday. And you don't think I know her? Do you like it? I could suck. And your book slippers suck. I need to be a surprise. You used to like my surprises, you know. I'm sorry. I could have eaten them, you know. That's what I usually do. What? Here you go. Happy dear birthday. It was whatever. Mom made a cake with blue icing. Wasn't delicious. The cake is better. I didn't eat the icing. Did you bring me any? Don't worry about me. What did you get? I got this new watch from Mom. Wow! Is it waterproof? What a nice watch. Helen always had excellent taste. And she just hoped I'd be free. About how you just tried to kill me. I'm so sorry to check on you, my bad for monsters. It's probably the greatest of my life. Eight years, not even a preteen. Real, actual teenager. She's basically an adult. I hate to do this, but I believe it's officially turned into perfect ways. It's time for me to grow up. I'm sure there's another kid out there who could use a monster as great as you. But I'm not that kid. Freaking my heart. Oh, when we hit the babysitter's car keys and the pantry so she couldn't get home, who will help you trick her now? Stop it. Respect now. I'm too old for a babysitter. I'm sorry about before. I'm sorry about candy. Stupid idea. I shouldn't have done that. You're great about that. That was cruel, Zella. That was a cop out. You could have talked to me in person like the adult you're trying to be. That hurts my feelings. What about my feelings? You're trying to kill me doesn't hurt my feelings, huh? We just had to go our separate ways. Routines? Don't have monsters. Do I embarrass you? What did you think was going to happen? Did you just go on working on something? Look at you and your bed. Honestly, I don't know yet. It's done. I can't come back anymore. Ever. Yes. And you'll miss me. You'll miss me when I'm gone. Thank you for all of us. The arts. From our perspective, give us a voice. Lift our spirits. And that's what R.E. Rockin' hopes to do right now. Check. Oh, hello. Thanks for your patience. Oh, I'm very, very excited to be here with you. We've got some fantastic musicians at the school. And we've got an after school ensemble that anyone's welcome to join called R.E. Rockin'. And these are some of the musicians. Not all, but just the people who could be here tonight. We also do have a high school choir. But, you know, tonight this is our high school choir. Yeah. So we've chosen three songs that we've actually never performed before. And I hope you enjoy them. Y'all ready? Thank you so much. This next song is called Mad World by Tears for Fears. Hope you like it. When people run in circles, it's a very happy birthday. Happy birthday. And I feel the way that every child should sit and listen. Sit and listen. Went to school and I was very nervous. No one knew me. No one. Hello, teacher. Tell me what's my lesson. Look right through me. Look right through me. Kind of funny. I find it kind of sad. The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had. I find it hard to tell you. I find it hard to take. When people run in circles, it's a very, very kind of sad. The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had. I find it hard to tell you. I find it hard to take. When people run in circles, it's a very, very... Thank you so much. We've got one more song for you. This last one is called Call Me by Blondie. And if you know the chorus, feel free to sing along. It'd be pretty cool. No worries. I'm going to leave that there. I have two. I always bring an extra pick. All right. You ready? I'll never get enough. The ocean's come. I don't know why. Any time. But Kurt and Cole, anyone who wants to come on stage, take one final bow. Theater students, dance students, anyone who performed tonight, come on up on stage. Final bow of the year. I'm sorry, I'm sorry.