Sophomore Emree Gabriel will star in her “dream musical” this week as local theater students put on performances of one of Broadway’s most popular shows.
Performances for “Mamma Mia!” will occur at 7 p.m. this Thursday and Saturday in the Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $11 for adults and $6 for students and can be purchased online. Tickets can also be purchased at the door. If paying with cash, tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.
There will be a matinee on Thursday at noon for senior citizens in the community. Seniors are also invited to a meal with the cast in the high school cafeteria before the performance. Doors open at 10 a.m. and the meal will start at 11 a.m. Those interested can RSVP by Monday, Nov. 10 to Nicole Parks at [email protected] or at (785)-542-4987 ext. 1118.
Director Allison Enneking said it’s typical for a cast to hit a wall during every production. She said this year’s production of “Mamma Mia!,” though, started strong and hasn’t slowed down.
“It seemed like a really upbeat show that I thought that kids would be enthusiastic about,” Enneking said. “Sometimes the music can be really, really challenging for student musicians, but this music is really accessible and is also just really fun.”
Enneking said over 50 students auditioned for the show, which is high compared to previous years. For some in the cast, this is their first show.
“We’ve got a wide array of experiences, but we’ve had a lot of really talented kids come out of the woodwork for this one,” Enneking said.
Gabriel is playing the role of Donna Sheridan, and junior Lily McBain is her daughter Sophie.
“I really like Mamma Mia,” Gabriel said. “This was like my dream musical to do, and then she said we were doing it this year, and I was really excited.”
McBain is also excited to be part of the cast.
“I think all the music is so fun,” McBain said. “It’s like such a wild fun show. It’s so cool.”
Junior Connor Moore is playing Sam Carmichael. Freshman Brantley Moeckel is Harry Bright, and senior Ethan Winton is Bill Austin.
Moore has been in many musicals and plays, but this is the first musical for both Moeckel and Winton. Moeckel said he’s always been a fan of theater, so he was excited to try out once he got into high school.
Winton said he tried out because he thought it’d be fun.
“Me and some other seniors watched ‘Mamma Mia!’ when we heard there was going to be a musical about it,” Winton said. “We all tried out, and I got to be part of the musical, and it’s just been a really fun and new experience for me.”
The cast rehearses on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and Enneking it has been a positive experience so far. She said it’s been nice to see the cast interact and form new friendships.
“I do enjoy seeing how it helps kids that maybe don’t run in the same social circles or aren’t in the same grade levels, how it kind of builds connections across those boundaries,” Enneking said. “[It] gets those kids interacting in an environment where they wouldn’t normally.”
She said the students have been supporting each other, too, like helping others learn the choreography.
McBain said everyone has a fun time during rehearsals, and Gabriel said she can tell everyone wants to be there. Moore said his favorite part about the production has been the people.
“Just being able to meet new people that I haven’t had previous relationships with, being able to perform with my colleagues here,” Moore said.
Winton said his favorite part has been stepping out of his comfort zone.
“It’s been, like, a great challenge,” Winton said. “A way to challenge my creativity in a different way that I haven’t before.”
This upcoming week, the production will have its “Tech Week.” Enneking said this is when “the chaos comes together all at once.” These rehearsals will have the production’s full set, props, costumes, lights and sound.
She said the students have been working hard, and she is excited for the community to see the production.
“I’m super, super proud of the work that they’ve put in,” Enneking said. “Especially for our high school students in a cellphone-having post-COVID era, putting yourself on stage to sing and dance and act in front of an audience is incredibly commendable. It’s incredibly brave, and I hope these kids get to perform to two absolutely packed houses.”
Reach reporter Bella Waters at [email protected].
