“We need to save our show from people who don’t know the difference between a Tony Award and Tony Hawk,” says Sharpay Evans in High School Musical. In this case, Mamaroneck High School students better start studying their theater lingo, because tonight, on March 8th at 6:00 p.m., the 2024 Senior class will be performing their very own production of High School Musical. As lights dim and spotlights shine, seniors are preparing to take the McClain Auditorium’s stage and bring one of Disney’s most popular franchises to life.
In the past, the “Senior Musical” was the only musical offered at Mamaroneck High School. Since 2014, the Senior Musical has been swapped for a schoolwide musical offered by the music department, most recently, Newsies. For the first time since 2014, the graduating class will be performing a “Senior Musical,” in addition to the music department’s annual production. The idea of reviving this tradition was originally proposed by Ms. Barnard (Director of Student Affairs) and Joe Robb O’Hagan (‘24). Ms. Barnard told The Globe, “When I first got this job I was interested in creating a special experience for the seniors. When I spoke to Joe about my idea, we agreed that bringing back the Senior Show may be the answer!” Ms. Barnard hopes the experience will unify the senior class as it will combine “social groups together to work on a common goal.” Although the idea was initially proposed by Barnard and Robb O’Hagan, it could not be executed without the help of other seniors.
Akari Funakoshi (‘24), a student in PACE and Dance Captain for Newsies, has played a key role in the development of this production, bringing PACE skills and insights to a cast of Seniors who, for many, haven’t graced the stage since elementary or middle school. As director, Akari worked alongside Robb O’Hagan and Seniors Josie Zevin (‘24), Grace Hammarley (‘24), Leti Pinto (‘24), Kennedy Reagins (‘24), Nina Dsupin (‘24), and Gretchen Barnard (‘24) to oversee decisions of the show including casting, set visuals, choreography, stage directions, lighting, and sound. All of these responsibilities were taken on by seniors, creating an immersive, two-week experience.
Funakoshi said that “this project is especially great for our grade because of the opportunities lost because of COVID-19.” She also stated, “That feeling of being able to bring back some unity between everyone in the grade is what encouraged me to step into the role.” Funakoshi is no stranger to the performing arts and has been heavily involved with MHS’ Performing Arts Curriculum Experience (PACE) Program since freshman year. According to Funakoshi, “PACE has taught me how to be a better team player, more patient, and more responsible. With those skills, I think it will push me and everyone involved to a fun and successful show.”
Hammarley and Pinto are two of the choreographers for this year’s Senior Musical and worked tirelessly in creating a performance that consists of all original choreography inspired by movies from the franchise. When interviewed, Hammarley said, “Being a choreographer for this musical has definitely been interesting because our production will include all the different members of our senior class with different strengths, and we want to create dances that highlight everyone.”
Similarly to Funakoshi, Hammarley has been a part of the PACE program since freshman year. According to Hammarley, “I think this [PACE] has definitely helped me gain more experience choreographing for larger groups as this is a skill that the PACE dance program encourages students to learn.” She expressed tons of excitement about the entire process and thinks “it is such a great way for our senior class to come together before we graduate and produce a fun and exciting show for our community.”
One hundred and eight seniors, or over 25% of the Senior Class, signed up to dance, sing, act, create scenery and play instruments in the Senior Musical. The revival of the tradition proved to be exciting for seniors but also sparked energy among juniors and underclassmen; not only are 9th, 10th, and 11th graders making up the majority of the audience on March 8th, but many also hope an annual Senior Musical will become a tradition in the coming years.
March 8th’s production sold out the 952-seat McClain Auditorium a week in advance, with a ticket waitlist building. The publicity team worked with district publicity leaders to target elementary school and middle school parents and families, hoping to use the diverse array of Seniors on stage to inspire younger Mamaroneck students to get involved in the Performing Arts. To our Seniors, break a leg tomorrow!
Or, as both Troy Bolton and Ms. Barnard said, “‘We’re all in this together’ Tigers!”
