Richards High School closed out its school year with a vibrant and crowd-pleasing production of Mamma Mia!, energizing the stage with the infectious music of ABBA and the enthusiasm of 40 dedicated student performers.
The musical was performed June 5, 6, and 7 at 7 p.m. in the HLR Performing Arts Center at Richards High School, 10601 Central Ave., Oak Lawn.
Performer Erin Barker, 18, of Chicago Ridge, said the highlight of the experience was the friendships she strengthened on stage.
“What I love most about being in Mamma Mia! is getting to share the stage with my best friends,” Barker said. “Getting to perform with my favorite people makes all the long rehearsals and late nights worth it. I wouldn’t want to share this experience with anyone else.”
Joshua Hammann, Director of Choirs at Richards, directed the production. A graduate of Northwestern University with a degree in Choral Music Education, Hammann said the decision to stage Mamma Mia! was inspired by a desire to do something upbeat and fun after the previous year’s more traditional and dramatic production of Anastasia.
“I wanted to do something contrasting and fun for both the students and audience,” Hammann said. “Since we were putting on our show after school was out, I thought Mamma Mia! would be a good summer show.”
The show’s cast and crew were made up of students from all four grade levels, and the lively music and choreography made the experience especially engaging for them.
“The music and dancing in the show is very fun for the students,” Hammann said. “The music is so catchy, you can’t help moving and singing along to the ABBA songs.”
Students said the experience went far beyond the stage.
“What I love most about being a part of our production of Mamma Mia! is the bond that I have with my cast mates,” said Emerey Ruzencevs, 18, of Oak Lawn. “The music, although simple, doesn’t stop me and my friends from singing our hearts out. From the upbeat and energetic rhythms of Does Your Mother Know to the ballad that is The Winner Takes It All, we sing our hearts out, feeling and taking in every minute.”
Dre’Shawn Malone, 16, of Calumet Park, said that building relationships and learning choreography were his favorite parts of the process.
“I like learning the dances and forming bonds with the other cast members,” he said. “It is a fun experience.”
The production was a joyful conclusion to the school year, and one that celebrated creativity, teamwork, and the timeless joy of music. Hammann said that beyond the final curtain, the value of the musical lies in what students gain from the process.
“Musical Theater gives students an opportunity to be creative and express themselves,” he said. “Students develop relationships and bonds with other students in the show. Students work together in various roles to put on a production that can’t be done alone. Students build their self-confidence through performance.”