The spring musical is a key event in all high school theater programs. Last year’s musical, Chicago: Teen Edition, was a great success for Chamblee OnStage. This year’s musical, Mamma Mia!, was hinted at and announced on the Chamblee OnStage Instagram: @chambleeonstage. This year students new and old are excited to see what this musical season will bring.
A big change to Chamblee’s theater department was the retirement of the chorus and musical theater teacher, Linda Lirette. In her place, this year is Timothy Simmons, previously from Henderson Middle School.
Every production is a learning experience, but this year will especially be one for Simmons.
“This will be my first time doing a musical on this level,” said Simmons. “At my other school, we didn’t do musicals… So I’m the novice in the group.”
Luckily, Simmons has a strong team of student leaders there to step up and lead Mamma Mia! to success. Luckily, this won’t be new for many of Chamblee’s student leaders, who were also student leaders last year.
Terrance Richards (‘26) was one of those student leaders, working backstage to bring the stage for Chicago together. This year, Richards is hoping for things to stay mostly the same.
“Last year was pretty student-run, considering Ms. Lirette mainly helped with the vocals,” said Richards, “so I’m hoping for sort of the same as last year.”
Richards is one of the student leaders managing the scenic, specifically props and set building. He works alongside Leanna Maender (‘26), who manages hair, makeup, and props.
With the production being heavily student-run, some have voiced concern over the stress on student leaders. Micha Benning (‘25), another student leader working behind the scenes as Co-Production Manager, acknowledges there might be new struggles that potentially come up, but nothing they can’t handle.
“We’re trying our best to make sure all of the responsibilities are spread out between everyone, but I’m sure there’ll be new things we realized that we have to do mid-show which is going to be interesting,” said Benning.
The major aspect of any musical is the music. Last year, Chamblee’s pit orchestra was a notable presence in the musical and featured on a platform on the stage. The pit not only added musical support but also contributed to the visuals of Chicago. There have been many questions about having a pit this year. During the interest meeting that occurred during Bulldog Time on October 24, Simmons addressed them by clarifying that they are trying to have a pit. It all comes down to figuring out a schedule with the other music directors because the musical season overlaps with preparing for Large Group Performance Evaluations (LGPE).
To sum everything up, Simmons told students interested in pit to stay tuned for further announcements. Students interested in pit announcements should follow the previously mentioned Chamblee OnStage Instagram page.
Like every year, students in and out of theater/choir-based classes are looking forward to putting their time into making this production spectacular. Audrey Dyche (‘27) was a featured dancer in Chicago last year, is excited to see Mamma Mia! come together.
Even Students who haven’t previously been involved with Chamblee OnStage are excited for Mamma Mia!
“I watched Chicago last year, and it was really good,” said Mack Williams (‘27), “so I’m super excited to watch Mama Mia! this year!”
Mara Lonsbury (‘27) is also excited that Mamma Mia! was chosen as Chamblee’s musical.
“I love all of the songs. They’re very fun to dance to and listen to. I think Mamma Mia! will be very fun,” said Lonsbury.
The goal for all and any musical is to live up to and surpass past productions at Chamblee over the past years. Fortunately, Chamblee OnStage is filled with passionate students willing to work to make Mamma Mia! accomplish this goal.
*As of right now there is an interest meeting for pit on December 13, 2024, according to @Chambleeonstage Instagram.
