Jackson-Reed Theater is back and better than ever with yet another wonderful musical, Mamma Mia. Complete with fabulous lights and an exhilarating ABBA-packed soundtrack, Mamma Mia welcomes you with open arms into the summer season. Based on the romantic, musical comedy film, Mamma Mia follows Sophie, a young, soon-to-be-wedded woman preparing for her wedding with her fiancé, Sky. Alongside this desire to be married comes Sophie’s desire to figure out her true father, whom she dreams of walking her down the aisle on her wedding day.

Adapted and produced by JR’s director and theater teacher Daniel Iwaniec, the Jackson-Reed production whisked my friends and me away from the dreary, post-AP exhaustion to the vibrant, sun-drenched, fantasy Greek island of Kalokairi. As the lights dimmed and we were greeted with “I Have a Dream”, the stage opened up to a beautiful Greek island setting, complete with an elaborate moving set.

Mamma Mia was also beautifully cast, filled with deeply committed, highly theatrical students. However, it wasn’t just the actors that made up the ethos and spirit of Mamma Mia. 

Behind the scenes, students have engaged with various, equally integral elements of the production of this show. This ranges from vibrant lighting to radiant and elaborate costumes and set design, creating a fun and supportive theater community. Upon speaking with a member of the lighting crew, 11th grader Lily Doiron, it was made clear to me just how large a scale this event was, requiring countless hours to execute this musical. She detailed how this crew alone would meet multiple times each week for over a month, often remaining in the building until 9:30 PM.

For me, what made Mamma Mia most memorable of all was JR’s flawless renditions of the Mamma Mia soundtrack, the cast not only excelling in their performance but also the Jackson Reed orchestra. Filled with talented individuals, these musicians truly aided in bringing Mamma Mia to life alongside the wonderful voices of our cast, including star member Caroline Reilly.

Seeing Mamma Mia made the extent of hard work and incredible talent brought into this performance clear. This adaptation of the film Mamma Mia was truly brought to life by JR, filled with excitement, humor, and emotional depth, fueled by our student body’s creativity, talent, and teamwork. •