Mountain Music Academy (MMA) staged Opai Asey, an ABBA-themed musical featuring the timeless hits of the Swedish pop group, at Lorin Hall, Tetso College, drawing a packed audience.
Scripted by Anungla Zoe Longkumer , the production followed the journey of a young woman aspiring to build a career in music despite societal pressure to pursue a more conventional path through competitive examinations.
According to a press release the narrative was interwoven with popular ABBA songs, including “Mamma Mia,” “Waterloo” and “The Winner Takes It All,” which complemented the emotional progression of the story.
The musical conveyed the message that parents should encourage their children to pursue their dreams rather than impose their own choices on them. The central message was reinforced in the finale, which emphasised that giving children the courage to follow their aspirations was among the greatest gifts parents could offer.
The production featured young performers, including children as young as three years old, alongside guest artists Colored Keys and Shau Evans.
In her opening address, MMA director Bethel Tsuzu commended the students, faculty and parents for their resilience and commitment throughout the demanding rehearsal schedule. She said the academy had deliberately taken on a challenging production, which revealed that the children possessed qualities beyond musical skills, including resilience and courage.
She also expressed gratitude to parents for their continued support and acknowledged the academy’s teaching staff, production team, sound engineer Marcus, lighting engineer Sam Shiu and Tetso College for their contributions to the event.
The evening concluded with enthusiastic applause, showcasing the musical talents of young performers in Nagaland.
