"Thank You For the Music"

"Thank you for the music," to Lemoore High School, students, staff, parents, and especially to the President of their Theatrical Department for the invition to expereience this.

LIVE Theatre! There is nothing quite like it. Mamma Mia has been performed countless times across the world, even with a screen adapatation. It flops in comparison to Lemoore High's stunning perfromance. 

Supremely well casted, with an extensive array of genuine natural talent. Sophie enters, perfromed by Ms. Raber, voice clear, confident, carrying her powerful voice to the audience's ears directing us along. "Thank you for the music," is the best way to set this musical in to motion. 

Donna's character, performed by Ms.Taylor, perfectly exhibited the movements and emotions of a woman in turmoil. Her voice carried the anguish and heaviness of a mother who's heart is torn. 

The potential father roles for Sophie: Sam, Bill, and Harry individually sincere, acting out their parts with ease.  Taking on different accents, following dance routines, singing, allowing for emotions of pure happiness and joy to flow.

Ensemble, band, light, sound, props, make-up, stage crew, facutily, and the countless other volunteers and whoever else contributed to this performance, this is truly where the magic takes place in so many walks of life. It's worthy to note again, "Thank you for the music." 

The  beauty of witnessing a live show, in addition to a performance done by our young aduilts in a non professional setting is the biggest GIFT any community could have. A traditional theatre built in the 1900s housed this electric experience. Vibrations from the band instruments, closeness of family friends and facutily, genuine love and appreciation for the arts, collaboration, everyone knowing and doing their part in order to share this prouction with us.

The humor between the cast and band, (Ms. Siguenza who played Rosie, pointing to the band to start playing a song to cheer up Donna, breaking the "fourth wall") flowed naturally bringing out laugher and smiles from the captivate audience time after time. "Does your Mother Know," song and dance was able to showcase more of their gifted students' talent and ability. "Take A Chance On Me" with Rosie and Bill had the auidence in stiches. 

Emotional Connection was manifest through each actor's portrayal of their character. "Slipping Through My Fingers," and "The Winner Takes It All," performances  by Ms. Taylor, made it her own and relayed the overwhelming heaviness of motherhood and the complexities that go with it. Mr. DeSantiago who performed the role of Sam projected the pain and heaviness of his past through to us the audience in a way that was genuinely raw real and releasing.

Overall, a monumental successs. Skip the film and make it a priority to visit the local theatre to expereince this live energy.  You can't help but smile, singing along, because deep down inside you know you can dance, you can jive .  . .