Rehearsals have started for members of the 2025 Follies cast. The shows are slated to begin Thursday, February 13th with performances on Thursday and Friday nights, and Sunday afternoon.
Follies is a long-running tradition at MCHS. Celebrated as the longest-running variety show in the United States, it is put on each year in February by the MCHS choir department.
This year, the choirs will be performing medlies from well-known Broadway productions. Varsity choir, composed mainly of sophomores, will perform selections from Annie; Concert choir, comprised of juniors and seniors, a medley from Les Miserables featuring several soloists; and Chorale, a smaller group of students selected from Concert choir, has prepared a few of the top songs from Wicked.
Choir vice president Addyson Nepple (’25) is part of ten acts this year. “I don’t know if I could pick a specific act that’s my favorite because I love them all so much!” Nepple said. “The two that really come to mind are the Wicked Auditions skit and the Mamma Mia Medley.”
Wicked Auditions is a skit performed by the five choir officers. “We actually wrote that entire skit on our own which made it an even more fun experience in my opinion,” said Nepple. The Mamma Mia Medley, also known as the ABBA medley, is a small group show-choir style medley performed by students across several choirs.
“Those two are my favorites because they make me feel so grateful for the opportunity to perform with my peers through the Follies shows this year,” said Nepple.
Amiyah Whaley (’25), choir president, is in eleven acts. Her favorites to perform are Chorale’s Wicked medley and the Mason City Danzers’ All That Jazz.
With so much to prepare, Whaley had to spend a lot of time memorizing dances with the Dance Team, songs with Concert Choir and Chorale, and skits with her friends. “I also got together with my groups as much as possible,” she added.
Nepple also had to focus a lot of time on preparing for the show. “I enjoy all my acts so much and I think it made it a lot easier for me to choose to concentrate my time working on them,” she said. She started planning for some of her acts before winter break. “Because of that I had more time to work on other acts when it got closer to audition time.”
Cast members will spend several evenings over the next week at NIACC doing final preparations for the performance, with dress rehearsals starting next week.
Whaley and Nepple are both optimistic about this year’s Follies. “There are so many incredible acts this year,” said Whaley. “Students put in so much hard work to make it an entertaining experience for the audience,” added Nepple.
Tickets for Follies can be purchased ahead of time on Bound at this link and clicking the “Choir” tab.
