Last week, Mount Carmel School’s Theatre Club staged its production of Mamma Mia!, the hit broadway musical featuring the timeless music of ABBA. The show was a huge success with sold-out performances, rave reviews, and overjoyed audience members. The cast and crew members were phenomenal with several break-out performances, a professional upgrade to the club’s stage techniques, and a continuing commitment to tell great stories that entertain and lift spirits. Plus, the show marked the school’s revival of its historic stage, which was recently renovated with temporary fixtures. Everyone found themselves laughing, crying, and singing ABBA tunes long after the curtain call.
Given the show’s huge success, I felt it would be important to thank and recognize the many people and organizations that contributed, in one way or another, to the production.
First, as we always do at Mount Carmel School, we thank All Mighty God for gracing us all with the faith, hope, and love to perform as we do. We also thank Bishop Ryan Jimenez, +Bishop Emeritus Tomas Camacho, Mount Carmel School’s Board of Directors, Mount Carmel School Administrators, Faculty, and Staff, AlumKnights and the Mount Carmel School family, and audience members for supporting our Theatre Club and the show. In a special way, we also thank the parents of cast and crew members for their untiring support and for lending us their talented children.
Second, a number of businesses, organizations, and individuals contributed to specific aspects of the show. Luis Camacho Jr., Patrick Guerrero, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the CNMI Public Assistance Office, and the Office of the Governor helped secure much needed funding to repair the school’s historic auditorium and stage. Lito Bernabe and Sagittarius were instrumental in bringing that auditorium and stage back to life with temporary renovations that made it safe for students, and building an amazing set that was designed by students. We also thank Chay Aspa & R&M Printers and Ed Calvo & Island Apparel for their support through the years. We also owe thanks to the following media outlets that helped with news coverage of the show: Gary Sword, Rosemond Santos Sword, Gordon Marciano, and KKMP; Jayvee Vallejera, Iva Maurin, and Saipan Tribune; Zaldy Dandan and Marianas Variety; Fr. Jason Granado and the North Star; and Chris Nelson, Sally Limes, and KSPN2 News.
Third, last, but definitely not the least, we thank our amazing cast and crew members for shining on and off stage as true dramatic professionals. While the list of the cast and crew members is long, it is worth recognizing every single person for the talent, creativity, and passion that they invested into the show.
CAST
Donna: Keiko Yamagata
Sophie: Tessie Rose Schweiger
Rosie: Eleonor Alejo
Tanya: Criselda Aldan
Sam: John Hernadez
Bill: Eric Atalig
Harry: Jener Pineda
Sophie’s Understudy: Jill Anne Mallari
Ali: Kyla Cabrera
Ali’s Understudy: Alyson Camacho
Lisa: Raven Driver
Sky: John Isaac Angeles San Nicolas
Sky’s Understudy: Sinahi Cepeda
Eddie: Jared Terlaje “Da Man”
Pepper: Brent Matthew Ortizo
Father Alexandrios: Christian Palattao
Extras: Caleb Aldan, Von Aldan, Asa Backe, Arwen Bartolata, Isabella Cabrera, Daniel Camacho, Kesiil Camacho, Jada Chang, Sophia Cornelio, Carly Kate Dela Cruz, Kina Dela Cruz, Friella Dela Santa, Heleyna Dela Santa, Carlo Diaz, Fatima Dimaun, Quimari Liwerscheng Babauta Duenas, Valerie Estella, Brissa Hunter, Clint Irang, Vivica Kapileo, Jazmyn Lopez, Patricia Lugtu, Jennifer Mallari, Justin Mallari, Laizza Mallari, Caydince Raine Malit Masga, Ayanna Matsumoto, Naomi Matsumoto, Remiegem Melchor, Sarah Melchor, Amber Militante, Chloe Militante, Donnie Militante, Ethan Militante, Therese Ogo, Layla Palacios, Tricia Palacios, Jadine Pangelinan, Mya Pangelinan, Jener Pineda, Gavril Santiago, Jaxon Tagabuel, Christine Tamundong, Jessiana Tenorio, Malina Rose Tenorio, Sophia Tenorio, Quince Tizon, Peige Tomokane, Riana Travilla, and Sage R. Villagomez
CREW
Director: Brandee Hunter
Assistant Director and Choreographer: Larry Dean Cruz
Music Director: Jan Bobadilla
Band Director: Julian Greening
Co-Producer: Victoria Deleon Guerrero
Stage Manage: Mikee Mame Mendoza
Floor Manager: Brian Youn
Assistant Floor Manager: Skyler Poon
Set Designer/Props Maste: Katherine Avendano-Woodruff “Kate”
Costume Director: Connie Zhu
Assistant Music Director: Sinahi Cepeda
Tech Director: William Blake Deleon Guerrero
Tech Assistant: William Año “Nathan”
Sound Board Operator: Vaughn Mallari “Von”
Light Board Operator: Christian Guerrero
Microphone Manager: Jedric Villar
Business Manager: Jaden Yamagata
Assistant Business Manager: Amaya Reyes
Floor/ArtCrew: Raymalyn Guanlao, Trinity Cruz, Shaina Lee “ShaINA”, Penelope Sablan, Victoria Santos “T-Bird”, Victoria Ancheta “Vicky”, Francesca Bucalig “Cheska”, Vince Salvador, Raffy Lee, Esperanza Castro “Espie”, Maria Ayuyu, Kiana Propst, VJ Reyes, Theresa Toves, Reuben Tomboc, and Bernard Marcelo
Ushers: Mia Aguon, Juan Blanco, Mercedes Cruz, Aven Evangelista, Monique DuenasGwen Gamab, Hannah Lacap, Katelyn Rabang, Aubri Sablan, Raesyl Solis, and Kloney Virrey.
BAND
Keyboards: Joyce Demaun & Chae Eun Kim
Guitar: Dustin Salilin
Bass: Jan Mathew Millo
Percussion: Davean Gonzales & William Cano
Every single one of these cast and crew members did their part to bring the magic of theatre to the audience and to our community. They are all to be commended for giving their heart and soul to the show.
Above all, I appreciate the family that is the Mount Carmel School Theatre Club, where a 1st grade student can work alongside Seniors and AlumKnights to tell compelling stories on stage and in film. This family is near and dear to my heart and the hearts of everyone in that family. And as one of the signature songs from Mamma Mia! goes:
So I say thank you for the music, the songs I’m singing.
Thanks for all the joy they’re bringing.
Who can live without it? I ask in all honesty,
What would life be?
Without a song or a dance, what are we?
So I say thank you for the music, for giving it to me!
Sincerely,
Galvin Deleon Guerrero
Mount Carmel School President
Mount Carmel School Theatre Club Adviser
Mamma Mia! Producer
