New mini-doc gives behind-the-scenes look at AHS Drama Club’s Mamma Mia! production
Abington High School Drama Club’s spring production of Mamma Mia! was canceled hours before the show was scheduled to open on March 12. The weeks of hard work and effort that went into rehearsals, choreography, and technical design became an early victim to the COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to disrupt everyday life in the town four months later.
However, a new short documentary by Emily Christian, a member of the Class of 2020 and part of the Mamma Mia! cast, provides a behind-the-scenes look into the production and a glimpse at what patrons would have seen had curtains been able to open. The 13-minute video features footage from rehearsals, shows sets being built and painted, and features interviews with director Steve Shannon and members of the cast and crew.
“Everyone was pretty upset when they found out,” Christian said about the Opening Night cancellation.
Christian, who was an intern with Abington Community Access & Media this past spring, had been recording rehearsals with the goal of putting together a post-production video. The project took on special importance after the show — and the in-person school year – came to a sudden end.
“I’m still glad I could make the video to show some of the heartfelt moments,” said Christian, who will be studying film at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. “I think it did bring closure.”
Disclaimer: Emily Christian is related to AbingtonNews.org co-founder and reporter Michele Christian