Monsignor Haddad MS Students Perform Lion King Jr.

NEEDHAM, MA - From Monsignor Haddad Middle School: The Drama program at Monsignor Haddad Middle School (MHMS), located in Needham, MA, performed two shows of Disney’s The Lion King, Jr. to packed audiences March 23 & 24 in the St. Joseph Kennedy Center. Co-directed by Social Studies and Music teacher Ms. Emily Spence and Musical Director Ms. Michelle French, over sixty students from grades 6 – 8 took part in the production as either cast or crew.

Originally Spence was daunted by the idea of performing The Lion King, but “The talent in the kids this year convinced me to take it on! They were so dedicated and enthusiastic it made it fun for Ms. French and me.” She continued, “I’m extremely grateful to all the parent volunteers who created the costumes and sets.”

The play was a community effort as well as many parents pitched in to design and create the elaborate costumes and sets required by The Lion King production, including the back drop, headdresses, and a dual structure that served as Pride Rock and the Gorge. Several MHMS alumni also returned to give back to their alma mater as sound, light, and backstage supervisors. Needham resident Mrs. Jennie Moore was one such parent. Her sixth grade daughter, Lovey, was a lioness and one of her older daughters, Libby, in ninth grade at Ursuline Academy assisted with the distinctive facepaint on the principal characters.

“What a fun performance! Really great to see the students shine like that in front of a packed house both nights,” said Moore. “I’ve seen many MHMS Theatre productions and they are always impressive but Lion King took it to a whole new level. This is an exceptionally talented group of students and a very gifted director”

For eighth grader Jerry Sewack of Needham playing the role of the villain Scar felt like destiny. “I used to watch the movie all the time as a kid. As this is my last year here (at MHMS) having the play be my favorite childhood movie felt like a dream come true.’

Musical Theatre is a tradition at MHMS. Past spring productions include The Music Man, Bye Bye Birdie, Beauty and the Beast, and The Wizard of Oz. Participation is open to interested students in grades 6 – 8 and requires an after school time commitment 2 – 3 times a week from December through March, not insignificant considering many of the students are also involved in other MHMS activities like basketball, yoga, and speech, not to mention other out of school programs.

“Musical drama is a wonderful way to encourage students to find and share talents they may not realize they possess. The support cast and the leads inspired, entertained, and made us very proud!” praised Monsignor Haddad principal Jay MacDonald.

This year’s performance had an unexpected challenge when seventh grader Gracie Culver, cast as Nala, injured both her leg and arm skiing at the end of February vacation and required a wheelchair. Spence and French took the news in stride and as the saying goes, the show went on! Caitlin Cantwell, Young Nala in Act 1, discreetly escorted Culver’s wheelchair on an off stage for Act 2. “These kids put on such a great show!!! So many talented singers, actors, dancers and artists worked to make such a fun and inspiring show.

And we are so thankful that MHMS was so accommodating to let Grace continue on in the show after she got hurt skiing,” said Gracie’s mother, Kathleen Culver.

The cast will take their talents on the road for one more show as they perform song selections for residents of the North Hill Vista Terrace Senior Residences in Needham on April 5.

Photo courtesy of Monsignor Haddad Middle School