As the musical gets closer, there are rehearsals every day with the cast practicing lines, choreography, and singing songs.
As opening night draws closer, excitement for Mamma Mia continues to build throughout Kinnelon High School. From energetic rehearsals filled with familiar hits to students counting down the days until the curtain rises, anticipation for this year’s musical can be felt both onstage and off. Teachers, cast members, and the director alike are preparing for a performance they hope will bring the school together.
KHS is gearing up for its annual school musical with the upcoming production of Mamma Mia, set to open in the school auditorium on March 5-7. The show brings together a large cast and crew of students, including performers, stage crew, and tech staff, all working together to prepare for opening night.
“The cast is mostly the same people who have done shows in the past, and I think were all just excited to make this a great show,” said junior Frankie Cignini.
Mamma Mia is a musical that tells the story of a young woman, Sophie, who is about to be married and wants her father to walk her down the aisle, but there’s a twist: she doesn’t know who he is. Set on a Greek island, the story unfolds with humor and romance.
“I was super excited for this musical, because it’s always been a movie my sister and I loved,” Cignini.
“We also think since Mamma Mia is so popular and beloved by so many people that it will help involve the community to come support our program by seeing the show in March!” said Director Savannah Yates.
Students at KHS have been dedicating several hours each week to rehearsals, choreography, line practice, and transition preparation for Mamma Mia. The cast and crew, which includes many students of all grade levels, are working together to create a polished performance that the school community can enjoy. “I am so excited to see the performance. I love seeing my friends perform in it and supporting them,” said junior Emma Smith. The crew not only rehearses their parts but also collaborates with the stage crew to ensure that lighting, sets, and props are ready for opening night.
The musical brings the school community together by giving students many ways to be involved. Whether students are acting on stage, working on the stage crew, helping with costumes, or running lights and sound, everyone has an opportunity to be a part of something bigger. Even students who aren’t directly involved still feel connected because they know someone in the show or hear about it during the school day,
“Honestly, I think the chemistry between my friends and me is so real, and I’m so happy that we all get to play best friends, so I think I’m most excited for the audience to see the songs/scenes that we share,” said Cignini
Mamma Mia also brings people together through the support it receives from students and teachers. Teachers often talk about the musical and encourage students to attend. When people come to watch the performance, they are supporting their classmates and celebrating hard work. “The production side of things definitely brings the school together. You’ve literally got all these different people — actors, directors, costume designers, set designers, musicians, etc. — doing their individual parts to create one fantastic whole. It’s beautiful!” said English teacher John Penola.
This year’s Mamma Mia production is especially meaningful because it marks the beginning of a new chapter with a new director leading the show. As a first-time director at KHS, she brings a fresh perspective and new ideas. “As the new theater teacher and director this year, this is the first musical I will be directing at KHS, which is SO exciting! Our school has a wonderful history with theater, and this year we are hoping to just really grow the program and exceed all expectations,” said Yates.
For updates, behind-the-scenes content, and important information about the show, be sure to check out the KHS Presents Instagram page. Come out and support the cast and crew as they bring Mamma Mia to the stage in March.
