In Fall 2023, I took my older daughter to New York to see her first Broadway musical, & Juliet. We both loved it, and she was hooked. It was nostalgic for me to hear pop hits from over 20 years ago, and delightful to experience them as a jukebox musical with my daughter. She’s been wanting to go back to New York to see another show, but we just haven’t made it happen—so I’m really glad a “mom-friend” reminded me about local high school theatre productions.
Last Saturday, my kids and I attended opening weekend of Woodson High School’s musical production of Mamma Mia! in Fairfax, Virginia. Since then, we have been singing and dancing to Abba songs nonstop. They even asked to see it again. It was the first high school musical production I’ve taken my kids to, and it certainly won’t be the last.
High school shows are fun, easy on the wallet, and great for the community—they spark kids’ imaginations and make for an awesome family night out.
Supporting the Community
The first thing I noticed when we entered the auditorium lobby for the Mamma Mia! performance at Woodson High School was the sense of community — families chatting, kids exploring, colleagues running into one another, and old friends reconnecting. People held their phones to take pictures with one another, not to use as a solitary distraction. It was evident their booster club is very robust, and you could see how supportive the parents are of the theatre program. Everyone was friendly and helpful as they sold snacks and other items. I felt good knowing my money was going to a worthy cause and that I was directly supporting art education.
Learn about the Woodson Drama Boosters
The Woodson Drama Boosters is a volunteer run 501c3 supporting the drama programs, enrichment and productions at Woodson High School. We fundraise for student scholarships, to help off-set production costs, and to have our students participate in enrichment programs. To contribute to The Woodson Drama Boosters, you can donate here: Donate to make a difference
Inspirational and Attainable
What impressed me most about Mamma Mia! at Woodson High School was the overall production value. The extensive cast and crew also included a pit orchestra. I’m not sure if a pit orchestra is unique to this school in particular, but it really showcased the breadth of talent across the board. It gave the show had a professional feel and the live sound made a huge difference. The set was really beautiful and well-constructed. The director, Chris Rushing, has an array of varied professional theatre experience and it definitely shows.
I loved seeing my two kids experience the show. The older one sat with her school friends and my little one was next to me. My kindergartener’s eyes were glued to the stage, taking in every note and dance move. The performers’ hard work really showed. They took the stage with confidence and projected well. Reading the bios in the playbill, I learned the students’ experiences filled a wide range. For some it was their first production while others have been acting since they were young or had been in shows since freshman year. When kids watch other kids perform, it is inspirational because it feels attainable. I’m certain this show sparked a passion in so many kids to dive into performing arts classes or just feel free to express themselves through song and dance!
A Fun and Affordable Night Out
It cost less for my two kids and I to attend the show on opening weekend than it does to watch a movie at a movie theatre. In addition to the cost benefit, live performances resonate differently. Research shows that while the consumption of art in any setting can be enjoyable, live performance, in particular, tends to provide greater improvements to an individual’s psychological well-being. Tickets are priced differently for special events, but overall it’s quite a deal. On top of that, you know you are supporting the school and the community. What better way to boost your local economy by contributing directly to schools and their programs?!
“Raising four kids in the DC metro is expensive, so we took them to many High School performances when they were younger, which is where they fell in love with the stage. I am always blown away by the talent in this area and so glad we gave them that exposure. Now my older kids, Peter (playing Harry) and Aaron (Set Assistant and Run Crew), work on shows together at Woodson, taking it full circle.”
– Jillian Gardner, Woodson Drama Booster President
Multi-generational Appeal
One of the things I love the most about musicals, especially Mamma Mia, is its multi-generational appeal. Good musicals are meant to stand the test of time. Grandparents, parents, children, and toddlers alike grooved to the timeless tunes of ABBA at Mamma Mia!.
50 years of ABBA:
- Since winning Eurovision in 1974 with their hit, “Waterloo” ABBA made waves hitting number 1 in Europe and the top 10 in the U.S. Their third album, entitled “ABBA,” which contained the title track, “Mamma Mia,” dominated the charts in the late 1970s.
- Mamma Mia!, the musical, premiered in London in 1999 and on Broadway in 2001. It’s had performances all around the world and has now been seen by over 60 million people worldwide, in over 440 major cities.
- Mamma Mia!, The movie, was released in 2008
- The sequel Mamma Mia!, Here We Go Again was released in 2018.
- 2024 marked the 50-year anniversary of ABBA’s “Waterloo” debut
Other School Productions
The best places to learn about local productions are through word-of-mouth. Most likely, your friend network encompasses schools across different counties, and they could give you the inside scoop on which productions to watch. A few friends friend told me shows at Seton School in Manassas are really good. Their show was in April, so I putting it on my radar for next year.
I’d love to hear your recommendations!
The Next Stars
Who knows, one day you might be able to say, “I saw them when…”. Before Ariana Grande, Zendaya, and Timothée Chalamet became household names, they were “theatre kids”. This 2018 Playbill article chronicles Chalamet’s early theatre performances.
Kids’ Reviews of Mamma Mia!
“The play was amazing, and it felt like I walked into a Broadway show in NYC. I give it a 9.9/10!”
– Aria, 6th Grade
“I really like the cast members. They seem so fun. I rate this a 9.5/10 and an A+ for effort!”
-Sabine, 6th Grade
“I think the scenery was really good, and the actors were very good. I’d rate this a 10/10.”
-Victoria, 6th Grade
“My favorite part was the Mamma Mia song, but I loved the WHOLE THING!”
-Camila, Kindergarten
About the Author: Ruby Hunt
I am a huge fan of musical theatre. As a child, I loved “The Sound of Music” and any Disney animated musical. In high school, I was member of the drama club. The first professional performance I saw was Stomp. Since then, I’ve added Phantom of the Opera, Titanic, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Cats, Wicked, The Lion King, The Book of Mormon, Avenue Q, Jersey Boys, and & Juliet to the list. I look forward to experiencing more musicals with my two girls!
Related Post: Upstage Theater Summer Camp Experience (Los Angeles)
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