Senior Entrance - MT25 - University of Michigan Musical Theatre

Please enjoy the University of Michigan Musical Theatre Class of 2025's Senior Entrance!

Featuring: Nick Aiello, Nile Andah, Abigail Aziz, Mariangeli Collado, Brendan Dallaire, Arin Francis, Audrey Graves, Drew Harris, Evan Hoefer, Jason Koch, Catie Leonard, Jamie Mann, Oluchi Nwaokorie, Sam O’Neill, Keyon Pickett, Aquila Sol, Stephanie Reuning-Scherer, Alyssa Sunew, Nicola Troschinetz, Evan Tylka, and Haoyi Wen

Directed by Oluchi Nwaokorie & Arin Francis
Produced by Aquila Sol & Nile Andah
Choreographed by Abigail Aziz, Nicola Troschinetz, Catie Leonard, Haoyi Wen, Evan Tylka, and Keyon Pickett
Music Arrangement/Direction by Stephanie Reuning-Scherer, Alyssa Sunew, and Jason Koch
Lyrics by Evan Hoefer, Sam O’Neill, Drew Perez Harris, Malik Johnson, and Nick Aiello
Stage Managed by Esther Hwang
Lighting Design by Ethan Hoffman

Piano: Ethan Swanson
Bass: Aidyn Connor
Guitar: Corazon Szell
Drums: Annie Hayes

Director of Photography / Editor: Johannes Pardi
Filmed and Edited by Johannes Pardi / Pardi Productions
Sound Engineering by Cole McCarthy
Camera Operators: Melvin Johnson, Porter Selfridge, Rachel Altland, Stefan Petrmichl
“The Freshman Are Here!” Intro Video directed by Haoyi Wen
Apparel & Faculty Gift Design by Audrey Graves
Photography by Ellie Vice, Peter Smith, and Stefan Petrmichl

SPECIAL THANKS:
The Parents of MT25
Walgreen Drama Center Office Staff
Katy Hepner & Kayla Buckey
University of Michigan Athletic Department
Michael McElroy
Cynthia Kortman Westphal
Henry Reynolds
UMich Prop Shop
Ms. Candy

SONG LIST:
1. “The Gospel Truth I” and “Zero to Hero” from HERCULES
Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by David Zippel

2. “The Lady is a Tramp” from BABES IN ARMS
Music by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics by Lorenz Hart

3. “Carrying the Banner” from NEWSIES
Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Jack Feldman

4. “Cabinet Battle” from HAMILTON
Music and Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda

5. “What’s the Buzz?” from JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lyrics by Tim Rice

6. “Be Alive” by Beyoncé
Music and Lyrics by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and DIXSON

7. “YA YA” by Beyoncé
Music and Lyrics by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Arlo Parks, Brian Wilson, Harry Edwards, Giift, Lee Hazlewood, Cadenza, JAY-Z, and The-Dream

8. “Be Our Guest” from BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman

9. “On Broadway” from SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE
Music and Lyrics by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Jerry Leiber, and Mike Stoller

9. “The Baseball Game” from FALSETTOS
Music and Lyrics by William Finn

10. “Blow” from & JULIET
Music and Lyrics by Max Martin
Originally performed by Kesha

11. “One Short Day” from WICKED
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz

12. “Sondheim Medley” arr. by Jason Koch & Alyssa Sunew
Including “Not While I’m Around” from SWEENEY TODD, “The Little Things You Do Together” from COMPANY, “Finishing the Hat” from SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, and “Anyone Can Whistle” from ANYONE CAN WHISTLE
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

13. “Play” from FINDING NEVERLAND
arr. by Michael McElroy for Broadway Inspirational Voices
Music and Lyrics by Gary Barlow and Eliot Kennedy

14. “Finale” from IN THE HEIGHTS
Music and Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda

[hililly]

I’ve been religiously watching these every year for yearssss and this one has already gotten itself ranked super highly. Song choices lyrics choreo like just amazing I loved it

[hufflepuffwannabe]

Watching this on the big tv with the lights off and a glass of wine like it’s an annual holiday

[amandaleigh]

Obsessed! One year they need to do a documentary of how they make these Senior Entrances - I need to know EVERYTHING!

[johnshoemakerpbc]

The pressure each year to top the previous years has to be intense. Class of 2025 you slayed that entrance video. Congrats Seniors and enjoy your final year of college. It’s going to fly by. Welcome freshmen. Can’t wait to see your entrance video in 4 years!

[tommyhalkyard]

The fact that they adapted Cabinet Battle...

Flawless.

[seaanemones]

I know legit nothing about musical theater and had no idea it was a college sport but this was randomly recommended to me and ngl this was fire no crumbs

[courtney]

1. Props for stepping up the production level of the video this year!!! 2. I am always soooo thankful who is uploading the captions so quickly so I can appreciate the lyrics as much as the performance

[oliviagill]

What if I said... this is the best senior entrance thus far!

[whitneyallenwhitka]

Class of 25!!! Class of 95 salutes you! We didn't have senior entrance in those days but I remember feeling all these warm fuzzies when we greeted the class of 98. 
Brent (Prof Wagner) always encouraged mentorship and respect and passing the torch with love. It always brings me to tears to watch the MTs carry on this tradition with such hard work in the senior entrance. I can see the pride and joy written on your faces.
You are all to be commended! Amazing job!

[hufflepuffwannabe]

In the last few moments, you can tell every single one of them are singing into these freshmen’s souls

[racheljackson]

I was so excited when I saw the new senior entrance! But the fact that the one guy did this on crutches is commitment!

[JillJohnsonMann]

I'm so proud of my boy and the Class of 2025. Dreams do come true! We started watching these senior entrances a decade ago and it's surreal to be watching Jamie IN the senior entrance video. BRAVO. Hard works pays off. Keep dreamin'.

[quinnbauer]

Be Alive group had CRISP harmonies, I applaud them, they killed it!

[itsNickStitch]

"...and here to welcome MT28. More like MT twenty-ATE"

That line sold me 👏🔥

[kemuntomaranga]

This class is so powerful, I am SPEECHLESS just after the opening number

[ufoesferico]

I’m from México watching this and being in awe that they could pull something broadway level. Colleges here could never. I wish I had the opportunity to go to a school like this, maybe in another life. You all did amazing!

[chrisfrenchnyc]

Absolutely stunning. And the all-Sondheim tribute to Brent Wagner was packed with truth; I don’t think any of the alumni would see our careers the same way without his imprint on our lives. The man set the standard for what all college MT programs now aspire for; his ripple effect across the musical theatre industry is vast.

As all have said, your ambition here to raise the bar clearly paid off. I wanna see the photos from that 📸 !!!

[auddyroses]

Crying many happy tears! Wishing you all a spectacular freshman & senior year from the class of 2017.

[DYLNJ]

Did the 2025 seniors create all of this??? Insane amount of talent every single person should be insanely proud of this performance

[manja]

This was insane! Choreo slayed, Vocals were vocalling and lyrics were WRITTEN. Iconic I fear

Also Tyler Brunsman mention is crazy (no I have never heard of Starkid)