The scene backstage at Cheyenne Mountain Junior High School’s commons stage was electric. Seventh and eighth graders were frantically finalizing their makeup, changing into costumes, readying the lights and sound and fitting in a few more vocal warm-ups and pre-show hugs ahead of the call to places. Sophia Esposito, left, and Hayden Smith sing “What is This Feeling” from Wicked during the Cheyenne Mountain Junior High musical revue “Underdogs” on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at the Colorado Springs school. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) Rehearsed over the entire school year, last Thursday night’s performance of the musical theater class’s annual revue was especially momentous, as it marked one of the final performances of the class and its beloved teacher. “Being your teacher and director has been the honor of a lifetime,” wrote Cody Saunders to his students in the revue’s program.…