The annual dinner-theatre evening of the Acton Boxborough Regional High School Madrigals singing group attracted not only parents and friends of present performers and alumni who used to be in the group, but fans of the angelic voices and people who just happened to hear about the dinner. One woman in the audience was visiting from Milan, Italy.
The group enjoyed a bigger venue this year at the Chelmsford Center for the Arts. Madrigal singers serenaded each table with songs such as “The Old Churchyard” and “Fair Phyllis” while lines of conscientious, black-clad high school volunteers delivered dinner to the audience members.
ABRHS Choral Director Jen Moss mentioned how proud she is of the students, both performers and student servers, for their tireless dedication. “The dinner is a lot of music with many moving parts and they maneuver it beautifully every year.”
“This year,” said Ms Moss, “was particularly special because we had over three full tables of AB alumni come back to see the performance and support their peers.
This year we held the dinner at the Chelmsford Center for the Arts [CCA] and they were incredible hosts. Kind, helpful, and so supportive of the student performers. A big shoutout to Timmy Chase and Lauren Cochran who are the directors of CCA.”
The singers wear the same costumes of rich, dark velvet that Marcia Charter, retired RJ Grey office secretary, sewed decades ago for the Madrigals. Every year at the dinner, the singers weave the Renaissance songs that are their specialty, together with spoofs on Shakespeare or other silly plays. This year, the skits made fun of Macbeth and Hamlet.
Ex-Mad parent David Martin said, “I had two daughters in the AB choruses and one in Madrigals, so I’ve been to a few Madrigal dinners. This year the Shakespeare shorts were a lot of fun, and of course, the music is great, especially the table serenades.”
The Madrigals have entertained Acton and Boxborough audiences since 2002. Two or three tables of alumni performers attended Thursday.
Check out Ms. Moss’s website to keep track of all of AB’s choral performances. Catch the Madrigals at Christmas seasonal performances, high school choral concerts, and this annual dinner next year.
Franny Osman and Miriam Lezak are past Madrimoms and current Acton Exchange editors.
