ISHPEMING TOWNSHIP -- It was a chance for elementary school students to step out of the classoom and see a live performance.
    
The NMU Opera Theatre Workshop is presenting a one-act adaptation of the story of Pinocchio at seven elementary schools in Marquette, Gwinn, Negaunee and Ishpeming.

Wednesday, the show took place at Aspen Ridge Middle School in Ishpeming Township.  Hundreds of students attended the performance, and participants say the show is a fun way to get the students involved and interested in opera at a young age.

"They get a double entertainment but then also get educated on real quality music," said NMU's Rachel Maki.

The opera will also be performed twice at NMU, free of charge, for the general public at 7:30 p.m., April 7 and 8, in Reynolds Recital Hall.