Hauppauge Band Featured In Delaware Drama Production

Hauppauge rock band The Mondays took their act on the road to perform live in Delcastle Technical High School’s production of “Lord What Fools,” from April 15 to April 17 in Wilmington, Del.

Lead singer Ken Carmen said it was the band’s first time playing in a theatrical production, and that the high school added a third sold-out show last minute to accommodate local demand.

“The live music stretched out parts of the play, and added an enormous amount of fun and a deeper connection that the high school audience appreciated,” said David Pody, the drama advisor for Delcastle Technical High School.

Pody wrote "Lord What Fools” more than 20 years ago, adapting Shakespeare’s "A Midsummer's Night Dream" for modern teenagers by changing the setting to a high school dance. For years, the theater director said he has used recorded snippets of pop music before hearing The Mondays’ work through a fellow teacher.

“The live music was terrific, not only what we planned but the little bits the musicians came up with as they watched the rehearsal. They added sound effects, rifts and rimshots,” Pody said.

The Mondays performed songs from their album “Storyteller” including “Believe,” “Follow,” “Alone,” “The Way It Goes,” and “Now and Then” from a custom-built side stage. The songs converted the play, formerly a drama, into a pop rock musical.

But it was a challenge for the band to make the switch from playing a live concert to a theater show, according to Carmen.

“We were up late in the hotel, writing cheat sheets so we would remember our cues,” he said. “The music had to be there for the actors, so there was a bit of pressure on us.”

Delcastle students recognized each member of the band with a trophy for their participation, and Carmen said he has put his trophy on display above his fireplace.

“It’s a shame other bands don’t get experience something like this,” Carmen said.

Both The Mondays and Pody said they would be open to future collaborations.