On Friday, Chesterton High School Music and Drama performed “Mamma Mia!” in their auditorium as part of their spring production. The Play was directed by Kristin Morris and choreography was organized by Drew Nellessen. The play was supported by an ensemble, a Greek chorus, and beautiful backdrops.
When choosing the play for this year, Director Kristin Morris thought the perfect match was “Mamma Mia.”
“We just needed something that wasn't going to make you feel weary at the end and that was just going to be fun, so we've landed on ‘Mamma Mia,’” said Morris. “It's just been a good time. The kids come to rehearsal laughing and having a good time, which is what we wanted.”
Morris’s students having a good and fun time was extremely important for her. It helped guide her with her decision making when it came down to figuring out what play she wanted her students to perform.
“I just like watching them be their best and most authentic selves, and I like to find the things that they really love to do and see how their energy lights up when they get to take the stage and perform,” said Morris.
The seniors of the cast – Brianna Condes, Juliet Dinkins, Hannah Geiser, Tyler Gudeman, Emma Kitchel, Julia Larson, Kyle Liss, and Kayla Szymanski– were thrilled to be on stage together performing their last high school show.
“Julie and I literally talked last year about how fun it would be if we did ‘Mamma Mia’ for our senior musical, and then it came to life; it's like we manifested it into existence,” said Emma Kitchel, who played Tanya.
For the students, some grew up on the movie while others adored the role they got to play. For Dylan Leavitt, who plays Harry Bright in the play, he was thrilled to play his character and was confident heading into the show tonight.
“That was personally a very exciting moment for me because he's my favorite dad out of the three,” said Leavitt. “I've been watching ‘Mamma Mia’ on repeat since I was like, seven, and he's always been my favorite, so that was a really exciting moment for me.
Online ticket purchase prices are $11 for adults and $7 for students and seniors. Tickets will only be sold at the door based on pending availability on a show-by-show basis and will cost $1 more – $12 and $8, respectively.
If you missed the show tonight, you can still watch it on May 8 at 2 p.m. and at 7 p.m. and on May 9 at 2 p.m. For more information on where to purchase tickets online in advance, visit www.showtix4u.com/event-details/51841. The online ticket sales will close one hour prior to the event start time or if the limited capacity is reached.