Newark Drama Club’s rehearsals that this year includes an enormous cast and crew are underway for the February presentation of the widely acclaimed musical comedy “Mamma Mia.”
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The story unfolds on a Greek island paradise when on the eve of her wedding, a young woman’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited twenty years ago.
The hilarious story line is accentuated by high energy dance numbers, along with ABBA's hit songs that include “Super Trouper," "Dancing Queen," "Knowing Me, Knowing You," "Take a Chance on Me," "Thank You for the Music," "Money, Money, Money," "The Winner Takes It All," and "SOS.”
Director/Choreographer Emily Howard, an NHS English teacher said she and NHS vocal music teacher Kate Flock who is the Music Director of the show, picked “Mamma Mia” for the 2025 musical because of its widespread appeal.
“Kate and I picked this piece because we were hoping to increase enthusiasm for our theatre program,” she said. “The students came out to audition in record numbers. This may be one of the largest casts Newark has ever had. We have 59 in the cast and 18 in the crew. Our school community is very excited about the show title, and we’re very exceited to start the rehearsal process.
“We took a field trip with about 40 students to a performance of “Mamma Mia” when the national tour came through the RBTL season at the West Herr Auditorium Theatre in November. This gave students a firsthand look at the show. “Mamma Mia” is a well-known musical that features ABBA music. Our goal is to have everyone leave the theatre singing and dancing along to the fun score.”
Cast members include: Deikan Bueg as Sky, Addison Burgess as Ali, Kylie Gravino as Sophie, Tristan Harris as Eddie, Jeff Hernandez as Pepper, Ryan Hinks as Sam, Bella Humphrey as Lisa, Anna Lanse as Donna, Cavan McNeil as Bill, Braydan Sherman as Harry, Talmadgha Streeter as Tanya and Mariam White as Rosie.
Ensemble members include: Keylianie Alamo Ubiles, Lillie Austin, Aundrea Bragg, Aurora Brown, Isabella Cary, Madison Chamberlain, Marie Cornwell, Kyle Craig, Reagan DeSain, Liam DeWaters, Anna Eckert, Avé Ellis, Raina George, Elizabeth Hamelinck, Brooklynn Hand, Bailey Harris, Ava Herrington, Lily Kerr, Henry Klemann, Gavin Kingman, Ethan Klock, Zachary Ladd, Dominic LaMagna, Katelyn Lochner, Lindsay Miller, Matiece Miller, Mikalya Miller, Giovanni Modaffari, Spencer Nies, Kalyn Norton, Leila Osmen, Alexandra Pellegrini, Shy Pilozzi, Elizabeth Potter, Liz Pullen, Victoria Ridley, Naomi Rivera-Romero, Peyton Sandore, Kloie Sergeant, Camryn Tolleson, Douglas Wells, Kenzie Wilck, Genevieve Witter, Kaya Woods and Caspian Wunder
Crew members include: Emma Newark, Stage Manager, Shelby Schermerhorn, Assistant Stage Manager, Lori Hobart, Deck Crew Manager, and crew members Dean Aldrich, Olivia Almekinder, Gabrielle Baker, Evie Berndt, Annaliz Garcia, Isabella Hartgrove,
Anthony Humphrey, Olivia Parish, Jimmy Pellegrini, Albertino Thomas, Kendra Vitaro-Harris, Harmony Warner, Alex Shestakoff and Stephanie Wilson.
Newark Middle School Instrumental Music teacher Rebekah Valerio is the Pit Band Director and Thomas Visconti will be a member of the Pit Band.
As in the past, Howard is choreographing the show. NHS Vocal Music teacher Kate Flock is the musical director, Mary Lou Bonnell is the accompanist, Newark Middle School Instrumental Music teacher Rebekah Valerio will be the Pit Band director and Dave Howard is the Set Designer
The show will be presented in the NHS Auditorium February 28th and March 1st at 7 p.m. and at 2 p.m. March 2nd.
Tickets at the door will be $5 and students and senior citizens and $7 for adults.