"Mamma Mia!" is ABBA-solutely delightful!

Excitement is “The Name of the Game” when the music of ABBA hits the stage in Burlington High School’s spring musical, Mamma Mia!, March 22-31, 2019. All performances take place in the Fogelberg Performing Arts Center of Burlington High School.

An enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, Mamma Mia! combines the timeless songs of ABBA, one of the most commercially successful acts in the history of pop music, with Catherine Johnson’s feel-good tale of family and friendship that unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they had last visited 20 years ago. It’s a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget!

Mamma Mia! is packed with ABBA hits with music and lyrics by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Anderson. The juke box musical rocks over 20 favorites including “Dancing Queen,” “Knowing Me, Knowing You,” “The Winner Takes It All,” “Super Trouper,” and the title song, “Mamma Mia.”

Caitlin Shea 

Leading the Burlington cast as the mother/daughter duo are Caitlin Shea and Isabella Gill as Donna and Sophie Sheridan. They are joined by Jessy Goober as Tanya, Isabella Alessi as Rosie, Luis Villalta as Sam Carmichael, Nathaniel Trofimow as Bill Austin and Josh Derome Taylor as Harry Bright. Also featured are Julie Surabian as Lisa, Jensine Wagner as Ali, Lucas Vaudo as Sky, Rachad Mesnaoui as Pepper, Cam Noonan as Eddie and Douglas Edwards as Father Alexandrios.

Isabella Gill

Select Dancers are Gina Anastasiades, Gaia Arno, Isabella Floyd, Mikaila Gnerre, Colleen McMakin, Alexa Meehan, Maeve O’Callaghan, Erin O’Neil, Maya Pandit, Rayna Parry, Kayla Santiano, Katie Surabian and Grace Visco. 

Select Singers include Katie Clifford, Paul Conti, Erica Czerwinski, Madelyne Goolts, Julianna Grossman, Julia Hovasse, Erin Kerr, Piper Ladd, Hannah MacNeil, Anna Matthew, Caroline O’Callaghan, Hal Outerbridge, Nicole Perry, Alexis Rigolini, Ashwini Shinde, Maya Tillem, Kathryn Woodilla and Nadia Zaganjori.

Vocal Ensemble members are Minh Chu, Lily Algery, Oluwamayowa Ariyo, Jolie Atwood, Saemus Bell, Anika Bharatan, Cathy Chang, Katelyn Conley, Paige Devereaux, Ryan Devereaux, Sean Gallagher, Sydney Hovasse, Brooke Hovasse, Alison Irwin, Courtney Magnarelli, Sophia Meimaris, Sarah Owens, Grace Rakes, Levi Theirrien and Daniel Thornell.

The production of “Mamma Mia!” is directed by Warren Friedman, a New York transplant well respected for his work with the Burlington Educational Summer Theatre audiences and across the country for his work with youth and community theatre groups. He is joined by John Middleton-Cox as music director, Leanne Reardon as choreographer, Peter Waldron as set designer, Kim Cook as costume coordinator. This year's poster artist is BHS Freshman Benjamin Kirabo.

Performances of Mamma Mia! will run March 22, 23, 29, 30 at 7:30 pm, and March 31 at 2:00 pm. Tickets range in price from $10-$15, and are currently available at BurlingtonTheatre.com and 781-A-FUN-TIC (781-238-6842). All performances will take place in the Fogelberg Performing Arts Center, an accessible venue, located at 123 Cambridge Street on the campus of Burlington High School.

Take a chance on me: Freshman creates artwork for BHS "Mamma Mia! "

Collaboration of the arts is a fine-tuned instrument at Burlington High School, coming to life each year with the design and implementation of the poster artwork for the annual spring musical. 

With Burlington High School’s spring musical Mamma Mia! on its way to record ticket sales, several BHS art students in Keith March Mistler’s Digital Publishing course have worked with anticipation and excitement on a competitive assignment to become the designer of this year’s poster.

Freshman Benjamin Kirabo’s artwork has been chosen for this year’s Mamma Mia! poster. Eleven students competed for the honor by watching the movie version of the musical, analyzing thematic elements, and creating sketches and inspiration boards with imagery, fonts and color schemes. 

The client (producers of BHS’ Mamma Mia!) provided guidance and critiques for the students who then refined their original concepts. Final designs were submitted and the one best suited to the production was chosen. Following a few tweaks to the design, Kirabo produced eight different formats of the poster for printing in a variety of sizes and applications. This is the first year a freshman has won the competition.

Students in Mistler’s course create graphics and logos for the school and the community on Mac desktops with Adobe Illustrator software, a real-world application of the skills they learn in the classroom. The poster assignment is a favorite of the students. It has a competitive edge because the chosen design has public visibility.

“I try to teach my students how to be skillful learners who inquisitively seek knowledge and want to learn,” comments Mistler. “Working with the music department is a wonderful experience for students, as this project allows them to interact with real-world clients, learn how to give and receive constructive criticism and apply that knowledge to their own designs, refining and reflecting.”

Benjamin Kirabo’s winning poster graphics will soon be seen around town in signage, at a variety of local retailers and in all digital publicity. It will also appear on the playbill cover and t-shirts for the cast and crew. All eleven poster designs from the digital publishing competition will be on display in the lower library of the high school during the Burlington High School 46th Art and Fashion Show.

Performances of Mamma Mia! will take place March 22-31, 2019, in the Fogelberg Performing Arts Center of Burlington High School. For information and tickets visit BurlingtonTheatre.com and 781-A-FUN-TIC.

Freshman Benjamin Karibo, poster artist

MAMMA MIA! How can I resist you!

The music of ABBA is about to take Burlington by storm when Burlington High School presents the smash hit musical, Mamma Mia! March 22-31, in the Fogelberg Performing Arts Center. 

An enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, Mamma Mia! combines the timeless songs of ABBA (one of the most commercially successful acts in the history of pop music, ruling the charts from 1974-1982) with Catherine Johnson’s feel-good tale of family and friendship that unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they had last visited 20 years ago. It’s a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget!

Mamma Mia! is jam-packed with pop tunes by ABBA members Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Anderson. The juke box musical rocks over 20 hits including “Dancing Queen,” “The Name of the Game,” “Knowing Me, Knowing You,” “The Winner Takes It All,” “Super Trouper,” and the title song, “Mamma Mia.” 

Mark your calendars! Tickets for Mamma Mia!, ranging in price from $10-$15, will go on sale soon, available at BurlingtonTheatre.com, 781-A-FUN-TIC (781-238-6842) and at the door.

On Stage this weekend at BHS: Pulitzer Prize winning comedy "Harvey" by Mary Chase

Burlington High School will perform Mary Chase’s Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy, “Harvey,” this Friday, December 14, at 7:30 pm, and Saturday, December 15, at 2:00 pm. Performances take place in the Fogelberg Performing Arts Center of the high school.

Best known for its 1950s film adaptation starring James Stewart, Harvey is the story of a perfect gentleman, Elwood P. Dowd, and his best friend, Harvey, a six-foot tall, invisible rabbit. When Elwood begins introducing Harvey around town, his embarrassed sister, Veta Louise, and her daughter, Myrtle Mae, decide to have him committed. However, comic misunderstandings ensue, hilarity abounds and, in the end, acceptance reigns supreme! 

Director Kade Hill has assembled a cast of exceptional talent. Leading the cast are David Kolifrath as Elwood P. Dowd, Alison Martin as Myrtle Mae Simmons, Erin Kerr as Veta Louise Simmons, Grace Visco as Miss Johnson, Julianna Grossman as Mrs. Ethel Chauvenet, Emily Campagna as Ruth Kelly, R.N., Rachad Mesnaoui as Duane Wilson, Nathaniel Trofimow as Lyman Sanderson, Luis Villalta as William Chumley, M.D., Caitlin Shea as Betty Chumley, Levi Theirrien as Judge Omar Gaffney and Joshua DeRome Taylor as EJ Lofgren.

Harvey is produced by John Middleton-Cox, set designed by Peter Waldron and stage managed by BHS student Samantha Cobuzzi-Luecke.

Tickets for the BHS production of Harvey can be purchased at BurlingtonTheatre.com, 781-A-FUN-TIC and at the door: $10 for students and senior citizens, $15 for adults. Fogelberg Performing Arts Center, a handicapped accessible venue, is located at 123 Cambridge Street on the campus of Burlington High School.

Hold onto your hats, Burlington! A six foot tall invisible rabbit is about to hit the stage!

Poster by Ishan Suhail

Directed by Kade Hill, Produced by John Middleton-Cox

Set Design by Peter Waldron, Stage Manager Samantha Cobuzzi-Luecke

Comedies have long been a favorite of Burlington audiences so it is with great excitement that Burlington High School announces it will present Harvey, the Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy by Mary Chase. Performances will take place on Friday, December 14 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, December 15 at 2:00 pm.

Best known for its 1950s film adaptation starring James Stewart, Harvey is the story of a perfect gentleman, Elwood P. Dowd, and his best friend, Harvey, a six-foot tall, invisible rabbit. When Elwood begins introducing Harvey around town, his embarassed sister, Veta Louise, and her daughter, Myrtle Mae, decide to have him committed. However, comic misunderstandings ensue, hilarity abounds and, in the end, acceptance reigns supreme! 

Leading the cast as Elwood P. Dowd is David Kolifrath. He is joined by Alison Martin as Myrtle Mae Simmons and Erin Kerr as Veta Louise Simmons. Also appearing are Grace Visco as Miss Johnson, Juliana Grossman as Mrs. Ethel Chauvenet, Emily Campagna as Ruth Kelly RN, Rachad Mesnaoui as Duane Wilson, Nathanial Trofimow as Lyman Sanderson, Luis Villalta as William R Chumley, Caitlin Shea as Betty Chumley, Levi Theirrien as Judge Omar Gaffney and Joshua DeRome Taylor as EJ Lofgren.

Performances of Harvey will take place in the Fogelberg Performing Arts Center, an accessible venue, located on the campus of Burlington High School, 123 Cambridge Street, Burlington MA. Tickets are $10 for students and senior citizens, $15 for adults, and are available at BurlingtonTheatre.com, 781-A-FUN-TIC and at the door.

Ode to the "Legally Blonde, Jr" Village

As we say goodbye to another successful season of the Burlington Educational Summer Theatre (BEST) and this year’s production of Legally Blonde Jr, we would like to acknowledge every individual who was critical to the success of the program. It was through their patience, expertise and dedication that the young participants had a fulfilling and fun learning experience.

It just so happens that to execute a program of this magnitude and excellence, it takes a village! Our village numbered over 40 people who worked behind the scenes to shine the light on our 70 young actors! 

BEST Performing Arts Director John Middleton-Cox assembled a staff of experienced professionals for the production of Legally Blonde Jr, which included artistic director Warren Scott Friedman, music director Steve Black, choreographer Thom Hardy, program manager Kim Cook, assistant director Jamie Cook, set designer Peter Waldron and costume designer Maureen Krebs.

Performing arts students from Burlington High School played an integral part on the staff as counselors and technical staff. Included in these positions were dance captain Kellsee Lynch, assistants to the director Ivy Saltsman and Christina Charmant, stage manager William Waisnor III, assistant stage manager Samantha Cobuzzi-Luecke and production assistant/prop master Stefanie Sganga.

Legally Blonde Jr tech crew was critical to its success!

Also part of the staff were lighting technicians Sanjana Manghnani and Ethan Sehr, sound technicians Alex Johnson and Owen Johnson, and spotlight operators Scott Czerwinski and Sean Donovan. Joining them behind the scenes as running crew members were Gina Anastasiades, Adam Cobuzzi-Luecke, Maddy Doherty, David Kolifrath, Cole Lasco and Audrey Waisnor.

Senior counselors during the three-week theatre experience included Ivy Saltsman, Luis Villalta, Christina Raposo, Christina Charmant, Scott Czerwinski, Christian Weisse, Grace Visco and Caroline O’Callaghan; they were joined by junior counselors were Sean Donovan, Cam Noonan and Katelyn Conley.

Public relations and media contributors were photographer Chet Maguire (who also took on the role of publicity imaging and carpenter), videographer Alan McRae and publicity manager Vanessa Ovian; office manager was Anna Choi and house manager was Connor Pustizzi.

Orchestra members included conductor and keyboard I player Steve Black, Keyboard II player Lianne Goodwin, woodwinds player Jenny Connors, percussionist Jack Butler and bass guitarist John Grealish.

During the same three weeks of rehearsal for “Legally Blonde, Jr,” BEST also held three one-week workshops for young students in grades one through five to focus on performance skills that encourage self-esteem and build self-confidence. The workshop was led by director Erin Lane, with counselors Erin Kerr and Mary Kate Murphy.

Finally, BEST had a little help from "friends" Faydeen Sateriale, the BHS IT Department, administration and custodians.

A hearty congratulations to one and all for making this season of the Burlington Educational Summer Theatre such a success…we’ll see you all next year!

IT'S THE BEST SUMMER MUSICAL: LEGALLY BLONDE JR GOES IVY LEAGUE!

Burlington Educational Summer Theatre goes Ivy League in this summer’s presentation of Legally Blonde the Musical JR, on July 27 at 7:30 and July 28 at 2:00 pm. Performances will take place in the Fogelberg Performing Arts Center of Burlington High School.

Based on the award-winning Broadway musical and the smash hit motion picture, Legally Blonde, The Musical, JR. follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes, snobbery and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. When Elle's boyfriend, Warner, dumps her and heads to Harvard, claiming she's not "serious" enough, Elle takes matters into her own hands, crafting a showy song-and-dance personal essay and charming her way into law school. Befriending classmate, Emmett, and spunky hairdresser, Paulette, along the way, Elle finds that books and looks aren't mutually exclusive.  As Elle begins outsmarting her peers, she realizes that law may be her natural calling after all.

Sara Gluck leads the cast of 70 as Harvard’s beloved blonde Elle Woods. Also featured in the cast are Henry Wright as Emmet Forrest, Jade Kim as Margot, Isabella Gill as Serena, Erin O’Neil as Pilar, Aleczander Fulciniti as Warner Huntington III and Julia Lane as Kate. Joining them are Julia Svartsman as Vivienne Kensington, Maya Koffie as Whitney, Katie Clifford as Paulette, Valerie Reynolds as Brooke Wyndam, Bobby Nevola as Dewey, Julia Valanzola as Chutney Wyndham, Jackson Powers as Kyle, Joseph Arkalis as Winthrop, Aaron Shutz as Ryan Brown, Madison Chute as Sabrina, Erica Czerwinski as Enid, Henry Estes as Professor Callahan and Vittoria Rodrigues as Gaelen.

Performing the roles of Bend and Snappers/Delta Nu/ Jump Roper are Julia DeVito, Natalie DeVito, Mia Gesualdi, Jillian Gillis, Mia Grinnell, Leah Marshall, Rozzie Moe, Maeve O’Callaghan, Taylor Papagno, Emma Sampson, Emerson Waisnor and Ella Woods.

Harvard Law Students/Courtroom Spectator/Ensemble members are Aakansha Agrawal, Diana Alepidis, Lauren Aucoin, Julia Boldezar, Bella Bouras, Allison Boyle, Ava Brehm, Ciara Cameron, Natalie Carey (Bookish Salon Student), Tayah Ann Fulciniti, Sophia Gazza, Natalie Gluck (Video Performer), Molly Haggerty, Chloe Harbert, Elise Harbert, Nicole Hatch, Annika Held, Mariela Hopkins, Mya Koffie, Sophe Lacombe, Zohar Lavi, Ashlee MacKinnon, Angie Malnati, Paige McCorry, Grace Melo, Emily Murphy, Rucha Panke (Saleswoman, Workout Video performer) Isabella Petrizzi, Grayson Reidy, Angelina Riley, Clare Soucy, Alina Zhang.

Multiple role performers are Jack Haroutunian (Professor Lowell/Frat Boy/Ensemble), Jack Carey and Brendan Murphy (Frat Boys/Court Room Spectator/Ensemble), Paul Conti (Court Room Spectator, Workout Video Performer, Ensemble), Clare Soucy (Judge/Harvard Law Student, Ensemble), Theo Dewer (Jet Blue Pilot, Court Room Spectator, Ensemble) and Steven Noonan (Store Manager, Frat Boy, Court Room Spectator, Workout Video Performer, Ensemble).

Burlington Educational Summer Theatre was created in the Summer of 2009 to provide the young students of Burlington with a solid base of experience and knowledge in theatre arts so they can grow and develop as performers. With an emphasis on making the process fun and efficient, performers are coached by teachers and staff members who are highly trained professionals and counselors high school students who have performed on stage at Burlington High School.

Now in its ninth year, previous BEST shows include Annie Jr, Little Shop of Horrors, Alice In Wonderland Jr, Willie Wonka Jr, Disney’s Aladdin Jr, Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr, R&H Cinderella Jr, Shrek Jr, Seussical Jr, and Disney’s The Lion King Jr.

Executive Director John Middleton-Cox is joined by a full staff of professionals including director Warren Scott Friedman, choreographer Thomas Hardy, music director Steve Black, scenic designer and technical director Peter Waldron, costume designer Maureen Krebs, and program manager Kim Cook.

Tickets for Legally Blonde JR range from $10 and $15 and can be purchased online at BurlingtonTheatre.com, by phone at 781-A-FUN-TIC, through cast members and at the door. All seats are reserved.

Fogelberg Performing Arts Center, an accessible venue, is located at 123 Cambridge Street, Burlington, MA, on the campus of Burlington High School.