Students who participated in the "Beauty and the Beast" production with Rick Heppner Mueller (far right). All photos submitted.

Mennonite Collegiate Institute (MCI) in Gretna has received some very good news related to its theatrical production Beauty and the Beast which students performed this past Spring in Buhler Hall. Music Director Rick Heppner-Mueller gave Morning Show Co-Host Chris Sumner a call to share the school has been awarded a 2015 Rainbow Stage Award, which includes a $1,000 prize.

So with a $1,000 prize, and plans to purchase more equipment for the school's theatrical program, Chris' next question was what will be the next production? Turns out, that announcement was being made just hours from when the duo chatted (Thursday, October 8th).

“I wish I could tell you, but the big announcement happens on Thursday,” Rick said to Chris on the Morning Show, “We're very careful not to leak that, because it's a great experience for our student body to be able to announce that. We have a big Thanksgiving lunch on Thursday, so right before we eat that, with baited breath, I will announce the show to great cheers, so stay tuned for that.”

Jeanette Hoeppner (second from left) and Rick Heppner Mueller (second from right) flanked by Rainbow Stage reps at awards ceremony