Fourth- and fifth-grade students will morph into cowboys and Indians April 4 to 6 and sing songs including "A Rose with Plenty of Thorns," "Knock Him Down Again, Sheriff Billy" and "He's a Meany, He's a Nasty, He's a Grouch."

And the audience will be part of the show—spectators will be encouraged to boo, hiss and cheer for the villain and the hero.

"It's a lot of fun for the audience," said Director Brian Houg of the 60-member production.

"Audience participation is just so great because the kids get instant feedback," added parent volunteer Maxine Granadino.

Houg says Tied to the Tracks was chosen not only because of that inclusiveness but also because Blossom Hill previously put on many musicals set in the 1950s and 1960s. "We wanted to go with something old and Western," Houg said.

Brad Pierce, a fifth-grader, plays Chief Running Water. Pierce says he will don an Indian costume, "and then I have a tom-tom drum."

According to Houg, Chief Running Water is "a comedy relief" part. Pierce is right for the role because "he's just full of character and energy," Houg said.

While Pierce sings parts of songs, he said, "I just like saying the lines, not dancing or anything." Pierce was in last year's musical. "I had fun last year so I wanted to do it again this year," he said.

The heroine, Dakota Melody, is played by fifth-grader Eugenia Lin. Lin says Dakota gets tied to the tracks and must be saved before the train approaches.

Like Pierce, Lin was part of the musical last year. "That was fun, even though I didn't have a very big part," she said. This year she was hoping for a lead role—"I wanted to be onstage and I also wanted to try harder," Lin said.

"I kind of feel nervous but I also feel excited," she added.

Houg says the show is a "student-run production," with kids running the music and acting as stage crew. "They're so motivated. They're very talented, very hardworking, ready to go," Houg said.

"We're putting it all together, and it's really exciting to see it onstage," said Lacy Maxwell, musical director. "The kids are able to sing together as a group very well."

The adults, on the other hand, are equally appreciated. Lin says working with Houg "is great fun," while Granadino says producer Nancy Quinn "is the most amazing woman." Quinn helps kids run through lines, participates in the sewing of costumes and does a little bit of everything.

Performances are at 7 p.m. on April 4 and 5 and 2 p.m. on April 5 and 6 in the Blossom Hill cafeteria. Tickets are $7 each and will be available at the door. For more information, call Houg at 408.335.2123.