Shelton, CT — Olivia Jansen was in fifth grade when she first appeared on what would become her second home — the Shelton High auditorium stage. She was performing with her sister in what would be the first of many appearances on that stage entertaining her friends and family. “This stage means so much to me,” said Jansen. “I played Annie here in fifth grade with my little sister. Now, I’m performing my last show with my best friend and all the people I’ve grown up with.” Jansen, a SHS senior, will star in the award-winning drama club’s latest spring musical, the ABBA inspired "Mamma Mia!," April 3 through 5. This will be her final performance at Shelton High, and she expects it to be an emotional weekend. “I will definitely shed a few tears,” Jansen said. “This means so much to me.” Jansen’s story mirrors that of her fellow seniors, many of whom began their SHS drama club careers four years ago after returning from the pandemic shutdowns. “It’s definitely sentimental for me. ... This is what I have always done,” said senior Ben Souza, who has enjoyed an award-winning career on the SHS stage over the past four years. “It means a lot go out with kids I’ve grown up with,” said Souza, who will play Sam Carmichael in "Mamma Mia!". “It will be sad when it comes to the end of that last show, but right now I’m just enjoying all of this.” Musical director Katherine Sedlock said the choice of "Mamma Mia!" is perfect, with the show’s themes a staple for these graduating seniors whom she has mentored for several years. “It’s about family, love, being there for each other ... and that mirrors this group,” Sedlock said. “It is what we feel for each other. We love each other, we are there for each other. This is going to be a super emotional show." Sedlock has taught many of these seniors since third grade at Center Stage Theatre. “Ten years together. I’m really excited for them. ... We want them to get that sold out experience,” Sedlock said. “The senior class is very, very talented, the most talented group I’ve had." It was during the pandemic that the club, which had thrived with numbers near 100, dropped to less than 30. But hope springs eternal. Recent years and continued awards have helped bump numbers to 52 students, 42 performers and 10 crew members. The seniors credit Sedlock’s directorial talents and production quality for the rise in popularity. “To see more people joining, showing up ... it’s exciting,” Souza said about the growing drama club. “There’s a lot of hype around the spring musical; four years I’ve seen it grow. A lot of hard work goes into all this.” Along with Jansen and Souza, the spring musical will feature Dimitri Mysirlidis as Harry Bright, Ryan Morrill as Bill Austin, Phoenix Brigindi as Rosie Mulligan, Kristina Bratz as Tanya Cresham-Leigh, Justin Osso as Sky, Lila Kieley as Ali, Elena Gasbarro as Lisa, Christiano Pappano as Pepper, Joey Cummings as Eddie and Karma Nelson as Father Alexandrios. “The energy, the anticipation are incredible. The work put into the sets, the lighting, sound production, crew and cast is so impressive,” said Gasbarro, a senior in her fourth year with the club. The performers rehearse three hours a night four days a week, at least. In all, she said, actors, leads and ensemble, put in some 15 hours each week for more than two months in preparation for the musical. "The hours are worth it,” Gasbarro said. “It all pays off. And the musical is so wonderful each year. Anything can happen. Our friends are there, our family, all the people I care about. I love this so much.” Brigindi, a senior playing Rosie, called the coming musical “bittersweet." “I’ve been doing this since I was 4,” said Brigindi, now in her third year with the club. “It’s my first year getting a lead, so this is an exciting time. It's going to be a great time with some great dances, great jokes.” To purchase tickets, visit cur8.com. Club mentor Joe Sedlock said his goal is to see 1,000 people at each show, setting a record for the outgoing senior class. The show costs $35,000 to produce, with $10,000 raised through the Adaptations production and the remainder coming from a blast fundraiser and gate receipts, 50-50 raffle and refreshment sales the nights of the show. Sedlock praised the dozens of volunteers, parents of performers past and present, for helping with sets, lighting and costumes. He specifically Jim Welch, head carpenter and builder, Laura Marcinauskis and her family with set design, Chris Tiesler as lighting designer and Fiona Bryson as musical director in charge of all vocals. “This is a big part of my life,” said Carey, who has spent nine years in theater. “The spring musical means so much to me. The seniors have been my best friends.” https://www.sheltonherald.com/news/article/shelton-high-drama-club-mamma-mia-20214312.php?fbclid=IwY2xjawJWVc5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHTVohWeRt9TDv7L3VRpZ9-2x2hqbrODaC85FsRpYktA-VyDGnYeEBAB6ww_aem_QN-wuGSwIN8VZbAxVOotMw