04/21/2020
March 24, 2020
To a wonderful Cast, Tech Crew, Creative Team, Production Crew, and Supportive Parents;
I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for all the time you have put into this production of Mamma Mia and for the wonderful talents you have shared with us this year and in years past.
It is with much heartache that I must tell you that we will be canceling this year’s musical production of Mamma Mia. Most of you knew this was coming, but I did not want to see the reality of the situation. I do so appreciate the virtual rehearsal we had on Monday. It will be a moment that I will always cherish. It is with certainty that we will all always remember this event, but my hope is that you will remember the community that you had with each other over the disappointment that came with not presenting the show. I have worked with so many of you for many years and you have always been a big part of what we were able to do, no matter what role you played. I hope you will remember the work as a whole and not just this incomplete production. As much as I like to have a well-polished production to give to our audience, it is the interactions you have with each other during rehearsals and tech building after school that make doing these shows year after year pleasurable.
You all did not disappoint. The developing the solid harmonies from Ms. Jones and Ms. Graeme with the music and absorbing the flashy dance movements from Lindsey, you all deserve a standing ovation. For the many hours you gave after school to help organize our space and build scenery with me to all communication you had trying to put costumes together with my wife, Ms. Webb. For going door to door downtown with Ms. Swift and Mr. Rogers to sell ads for our program, for all the work you did that I didn't even see and all of these things mentioned, I am proud of you. Thank you for choosing to give up your time this year to be a part of something special.
I want to thank my Production Team, made up of parents and long-time friends of the theatre program. They have put in so much time, energy and money to move this show along and I am always grateful for all their efforts. Thank you, Anne-Marie for coming back another year to help us try and pass the torch on to the next group of helpful parents.
It is with their positive energies that I can assure you that we will have a full-blown reuniting event to reminisce and share songs and dances with food, lights, music and fun. I will send out more information on this when we get a clearer picture of when we can reunite.
I am beside myself at the notion of not getting to see you all and work with you all for a while, but I hope we will all get together again soon. Please stay healthy and stay upbeat through all of this craziness.
P.S. Pruett, Cole, Henry and Alex this is why I said “Slipping Through My Fingers” was such a significant song. Now it doesn’t take a parent to understand the lyrics and what they can make you feel.
Sometimes I wish that I could freeze the picture
And save it from the funny tricks of time
Slipping through my fingers
Mr. Webb
North Buncombe High School
Theatre Department
