By Veritas Staff
March 28, 2024
ROCKLAND- For three nights last week, the Rockland High Auditorium was transformed into a remote and beautiful island of Greece, filled with music, dance, and the story of a family overcoming challenges with love.
This was the setting of The Drama Club's musical, Mamma Mia, starring students in grades 8-12.
The Broadway musical premiered in 2001, and was followed by a major movie and sequel. Using the songs of the Swedish pop group ABBA, the musical tells the story of a young bride who discovers she has three potential fathers after reading of her mom's summer of love before she was born. She secretly invites all three men to her wedding and chaos ensues.
Senior Alice De Andrade said, “I was really impressed with the performances and how well the musical was produced. The storyline itself helps a lot because it’s entertaining and fun. People in the auditorium were dancing and singing with the actors. Overall, it was a great experience and I’m really happy that RHS has such an incredible drama department.”
Leading the cast was senior Lillian Bossie, playing Donna, mother to bride, Sophie, played by freshman Lilly George. The audience was impressed by the production value and effort put into the musical by all cast and crew.
Senior Karen Araújo said, “As someone who has been a part of the booth for three years I know how hard these students work behind the scenes for this show. So it was truly amazing seeing the Drama Club's hard work broadcast in the Mamma Mia shows. Everyone did an amazing job and it couldn’t have been any better than how it was. Everyone in the drama club and all the technicians deserve a huge round of applause. Even though I won’t be here to see it next year, I hope all future shows go as great as this one!”
Many students, staff, and community members packed the auditorium to see more than 35 student cast members, and special guest star, Head Custodian Michael Toohey, who surprised the audience in the second act.
Freshman Grace Doherty said, “It was really cool and funny. And it was exciting to watch because I have seen the movie. It was fun to see how good kids in our school are at acting. I have never seen a school play before but this one was really good.”
Sophomores Maddy Dever and Molly Lucas agree that it was a professional-level performance.
Dever said, "The show was extremely good, I think that the production and props were very well made" and Lucas added, "You could tell that the costumes were very well made and fit the roles, the show overall was excellent"
Seth Rosczewski, WRPS audio technician, was in charge of the lighting for the production, along with his student team.
Rosczewski said, "With the time limit that the musical comes with it can be very stressful at times but... it's one of the most rewarding things you can do at Rockland High School because you are building up such an amazing show that hundreds of people are going to watch."