Courtesy photo Leslie Eisenberg Co-conductor Matt Barbosa, teacher of music, theater and dance at Hollis Brookline High School salutes the audience and cast in thanks upon the completion with co-director Claire Pare of the musical, “Mama Mia,” a student-backed stage play that was produced with the help of more than 90 students.

The first thing that co-conductor Matt Barbosa did at the end of the run of “Mama Mia,” a musical recently offered over two weekends by more than 90 students to hundreds of spectators at Hollis Brookline High School was to say, “Thank you.”

He later added that the outpouring of support for the arts was well received by the set crew and artists, more than 20 students from HBHS who met three times weekly since January to rehearse the 2008 jukebox musical comedy based on the songs of ABBA, a renowned Swedish pop group.

The cast core was backed by a talented pit band of fine musicians. Students undertook duties in casting, stage management, choreography and costume design, in addition to ad sales and cast photography. Photos shared here from Leslie Eisenberg helped document the enterprise.

Claire Pare, a teacher of English, co-directed the production with Barbosa, teacher of music, theater and dance. Their gratification at sold-out shows was expressed in broad smiles. Record-breaking online pre-sales accounted for more than 1,500 seats for the four performances, they noted. Members of the National Honor Society or International Thespian Study program manned a refreshment table during intermissions.

“The foundation of our theater program is the perception that the production process is one of community and education,” Barbosa said. “We strive to empower our students to take ownership of their craft, regardless of what part of the process their craft may support.”

Senior Nicole Plummer, who played cast member Donna Sheridan, agreed that the scope of the impact made by the performances was gratifying to experience.

“The sense of community created and the outpouring of love, not only from the cast and crew but by the larger HBHS community left me speechless,” Plummer said. “I could not have asked for a more fulfilling experience for my last musical at Hollis Brookline High.”

Barbosa noted that the HBHS Theater Department presents three main stage shows per academic year. The fall of 2018 brought spectators “The Curious Savage.” The “Mama Mia” production of March 22-23 and March 29-30 received standing ovations. A May presentation on May 10-11 of “Almost, Maine,” by John Cariani, will cap the year.

The community is invited to keep informed about HBHS band, choir and theater news via a quarterly e-newsletter, a convenience that also includes an annual show selection survey for next year’s musical. Enroll with a request to Matt Barbosa via email: matthew.barbosa@sau41.org.

Senior Dan DeLong, completing his debut as a first-time cast member, a bachelor, expressed a seemingly universal sentiment about his experience in the auditorium, a professionally equipped venue whose spotlights and scenery and audio system was remarked by many as top notch.

“The experience was uplifting, as everyone was part of the family, whether they were a seasoned veteran who had auditioned, or people showing up to help in any way they could.” said DeLong. “There were no barriers between the different grades or levels of experience – everyone worked together to put on the best show we could.”