PHOTOS: TBE ‘Morning Musicians’ shine for Marco Island's Just Friends club

MARCO ISLAND — Tommie Barfield Elementary’s “Morning Musicians” played an afternoon gig Wednesday, and judging from the reception, they’re ready for the bigtime.

Fifty strong, the fourth and fifth graders, led by music teacher Lisa Braren, crowded into Konrad’s Restaurant to perform a holiday show for Marco’s Just Friends club. With 97 ladies already seated for lunch, the room was packed; fortunately, the singers arrived after the dessert, so wait staff wasn’t trying to squeeze around the kids with trays of hot food.

This was a Christmas program with a little bit of attitude. Titled “Jingle Bell Jukebox,” the high-energy show put a ’50s slant on the holidays. “Put a quarter in, and let the Christmas spirit begin,” said the youngsters at the mic.

The children performed with confidence and enthusiasm, coming in on cue and keeping the production moving, and their audience ate it up. Several of the young singers’ parents also came along to watch the fun.

The holiday songs were interspersed with announcements and bits of conversation by the kids, and each took a turn in the spotlight. Most wore reindeer antlers, but there were also appearances by Frosty the Snowman, portrayed by Harry Sukonik, Santa Claus, personified by Christopher Kimball, and vocal solos by Lia and Lenka Olenkova, Jolie Sukonik, and Emma Snow.

The cast was rounded out by a variety of elves and Christmas trees. The ladies at the head table for the Just Friends group also came costumed in full Santa’s Helper outfits, making the children feel right at home.

But the Grinch stole the show. After a rousing “Let It Snow,” the kids at the microphone called for a change of pace.

“Enough with the mushy stuff. I can’t stand it.”

“Bah, humbug,” they said, and launched into the Dr. Seuss classic, “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” To the delight of the audience, the Grinch himself, played under the hideous green mask by Mario Castillo, paraded through the room, trailed by elves, and striking appropriately Grinchy poses.

For the final number, the children not only sang, they formed a chorus line and kicked, ala the Rockettes, and the crowd went wild. Hearts were melting all around the room, and the Just Friends got to their feet for a standing ovation.

Just Friends president Cindy Crane gave credit to her program committee, headed by Gayle Thawley and Meg Holmes, for booking the TBE singers, and gave a check to Ms. Braren for the school. An adult Santa showed up with gifts for all the singers, and the ladies of the club received Christmas-y watches.

The TBE Morning Musicians is a group of children who come in early to get together and sing, under Braren’s direction.

“They were great! I can’t believe what a wonderful job they did,” said Just Friends member Eleanor Caricato after the show. The Just Friends group is composed of women who were previously members of the Newcomers Club. They meet the second Wednesday of each month at Konrad’s.

Crane said she will turn over the gavel next month to new president Eileen Carlsen, and is “a little nervous” about the meeting, as “they have scheduled a roast — of me.”

Well-rehearsed and with good material, the Morning Musicians were never nervous, and enjoyed themselves thoroughly.

“It was a great feeling,” said fifth-grader Emily Boxma – enough to put even the Grinch into the Christmas spirit.