March is Music in Schools Month, and to celebrate, Spectrum News is taking you into Amherst Middle School, where the curtain will rise on its virtual production of 'Dear Edwina, Online Edition' come Wednesday. 

The lights are on, and spikes are on the stage. But these are from last year, and the lights, well are for our shoot. 

"It was super weird. It's been really weird, they could only see my face," Erin Ayer, the director of Amherst Middle School's production of 'Dear Edwina, Online Edition' laughed. "With video and audio, probably about 200 clips," Ayer added about what was edited together for the 30 minute virtual production.  

Then, there's a 15 minute documentary the stage crew put together. 

"I'm thinking it's really big and if I was in the musical, I would freak out," Lily Zuniga, a member of the stage crew said. 

Our interview was the first time sixth grader Zuniga stepped foot in the auditorium. Pre-pandemic, it would have a familiar space to build sets. 

"Using the ropes, pushing stuff out to the scenes," Zuniga said. 

Even though Zuniga didn't get a chance to learn those ropes, she did learn an invaluable lesson well beyond the wings. 

"Stuff can be hard, but people can find a way to work through it, and still do amazing things," Zuniga smiled under her mask. 

It's a similar lesson, lead Fiona McLaughlin teaches through her character, Edwina. The 13-year-old wants to be like her overachieving siblings. She's set out to be a part of the Kalamazoo Advice-a-Palooza Festival.

"In the end she fails, but then she realizes all she needs is her friends and family," McLaughlin explained. 

That leads us to the very heart of this story. This musical brought students and staff together. Even if it was all through Zoom. 

"I haven't been in Amherst schools at all," Declan Goldhawk, who plays 'Scott' in the musical said. 

Taking center stage via computer, Goldhawk says the production quickly became much more than just the spring musical. 

"I'd much rather do this hundreds of time, than not do this at all," Goldhawk said. 

It wasn't easy as props were shuttled back to forth to Alice Johnson's home via teachers, then back to the middle school, then dropped off at cast members' homes. 

"It was a little chaotic," said Johnson, who was the lead of props and costume. 

What’s a musical without dancing? Choreographer Kathie Prospero had to literally think outside of the box to fit in the box. 

"My favorite line is dance through your eyebrows, so everyone can see how you are feeling on the inside," Prospero said. 

After two months of rehearsals, three days a week, the cast is beaming beyond the computer screen. They've been left feeling grateful, knowing the opening act might have never seen the stage. They have more messages to shine in the spotlight as we continue through this pandemic. 

"We just have to persevere through this time, so we can all be together and still have fun," McLaughlin said. 

The show premieres March 3 at 7 p.m. and will be available on-demand until April 3. Tickets are $10 per device. Just search Amherst Middle School, select 'Dear Edwina, Online Edition,' select Rent Video. It will be available for 48 hours after you first hit play.