On May 3, 2024, the 2025 Spring Morgan Musical was announced on a “March Musical Madness” bracket bulletin board outside the Learning Commons based on Library Media Specialist Shannon Robinson’s research of possible musicals. The upcoming Morgan Musical will be Mamma Mia The Musical. This next musical will be directed by a new director due to the retirement of Chorus Teacher and Musical Director John Lampe who directed the Morgan Musicals for 28 years.
The new Morgan Musical directors after the retirement of Mr. Lampe are Shannon Robinson and Eliot Music Teacher Leila Mustakos. Mrs. Robinson will be the artistic director and Mrs. Mustakos will be the musical director. These positions were announced Monday, May 20, 2024. Mrs. Robinson said, “we are excited to work on this new musical together. We can’t wait to get the 79 students that expressed interest involved in the fall”.
Both directors are planning workshops and fundraisers to kick-start this new musical and the program. They are hosting workshops for members that may not be as familiar with musicals to get them ready and act as a sneak peek. One fundraiser idea is the organization of a semiformal for the incoming freshmen on the last day of S.T.E.P. this upcoming August 2024. This event will take place after the last day of S.T.E.P. during the evening for a celebration of the S.T.E.P. week.
Mrs. Robinson said, “Students at Morgan have been asking to do Mamma Mia for the past couple years, but the rights were restricted because the show was on tour. When I got an email from the producing company saying they were opening them back up for high school productions, I hopped on the opportunity to reserve it for our school.” The two musicals that were in the running towards the end were Mamma Mia and High School Musical.
Sophomore Lexi Kinniburgh expressed her excitement, “I am super excited about next year’s musical, not only because it is one of my favorite shows, but because we are going to be having all new experiences. Being under new leadership is going to be beneficial and exciting, and the fact that so many people are interested is going to make the show great.” Lexi also shared how she feels the upcoming fundraising opportunities will be helpful and beneficial to making everyone feel a part of the cast. Junior Josh Nobitz said, “I am very excited to have one final year as a senior in the musical. I will miss Mr. Lampe a lot, but I know Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. Mustakos will continue to do great things for the program”.
The family interest meeting for all students who hope to try out for the upcoming musical will take place on Monday, June 3rd at 6 PM in the auditorium. This meeting will include information on the show dates, audition information, as well as summer and fall club plans, and opportunities for those who are interested. Mrs. Robinson strongly recommends and encourages those who are thinking of joining the cast to attend this informational meeting, as well as parents for future parent involvement. In order to sign up for the 2025 musical, students need to keep an eye out for a Google form that is being sent by Mrs. Hagness.