The normally barren Robert Lewis Middle School cafeteria will soon become a ship’s port playing home to the H.M.S. Pinafore.

Nightly hour and a half practices, months of fundraising and a year’s worth of planning will come to fruition Thursday night when the curtain goes up on the Gilbert and Sullivan musical.

Twenty Robert Lewis students have parts in the play in addition to numerous behind the scenes participants in everything from make-up to publicity.

The musical is the second RLMS Center Stage Drama Club performance, following last year’s &uot;Into the Woods,&uot; and the first performance under Artistic Director Darlene McCune.

&uot;Many, many of the students have a natural talent for the stage,&uot; McCune said. &uot;I was real excited at how they have accepted my comments.&uot;

Several of the students said they got involved in the performance because they knew McCune from Morgantown Elementary School, where she worked prior to this year.

&uot;I knew she was going to start a drama club and I knew I’d like it,&uot; said Nicole Ballard, 14, who has a lead role of Josephine. &uot;I’ve always liked acting and the excitement of being on stage.&uot;

Ballard said it has taken a lot of time to perfect the role of Josephine, the captain’s daughter who falls in love with a sailor.

&uot;The hardest part is trying not to laugh,&uot; Ballard said.

The students agreed that the musical has many humorous lines, many of which come in the scenes between poor peddler woman Buttercup and her love interest, Captain Corcoran.

&uot;There have been a lot of giggle fits on stage,&uot; Capt. Corcoran actor Caleb Johnson said. &uot;It’s a lot of work but a lot of fun, too.&uot;

Jessica Johnson, Buttercup, said she has enjoyed the challenge and is considering a career in acting.

&uot;It’s been fun and kind of difficult,&uot; Johnson, 13, said.

In the end, love wins out over social class with the revealing of the play’s biggest plot twist.

McCune said she was hoping for a packed house at Thursday night’s performance.

&uot;I’m praying for one,&uot; she said. &uot;I’d hate to not have a big crowd after all the work they’ve done.&uot;

Telisa Nelson, 15, said she is expecting a crowd.

&uot;I think it’s going to be a lot of people,&uot; said Nelson, who plays a cousin. &uot;I always get nervous though.&uot;

The students sold spirit cards and candy bars to raise the money necessary to have costumes and props.

Admission is $5 at the door and all proceeds will go to fund future performances. The performance starts at 6:30 p.m.

McCune said her dream is to put on a musical each year and she is hoping to incorporate some of her current students, who will soon be at the high school, in year’s to come.