Family is the heart of Chantilly’s “I Remember Mama”.

All reviews are written by Cappies student critics and edited by Cappies adult mentors prior to publishing.

Joseph Biagini, a student at Westfield High School , reviews “I Remember Mama” performed by Chantilly High School as part of The Cappies Critics and Awards Program.

Loading...

Comments

• Weigh In
• Corrections?

Personal Post

Family can be extraordinarily difficult to cope with, but their love and support are capable of getting one through the day. Chantilly High School recently showcased this philosophy of family in their performance of “I Remember Mama.”

 “I Remember Mama,” written by John Van Druten and originally produced by Rodgers and Hammerstein, is based on a fictional memoir by Kathryn Forbes. The play debuted on Broadway in 1944, ran for over 700 performances and was subsequently adapted into a 1948 film, a 1950s television series, and a 1979 musical. Presented as flashbacks from the vantage point of Katrin Hanson (Alex Johnson), this touching tribute to the strength of a woman is centered on Katrin’s family, a group of Norwegian immigrants living in San Francisco in the early part of the 20th century. Led by their Mama (Amanda Miesner), the Hansons experience illness, death, and poverty, but still remain optimistic and hopeful for what’s to come.

 The actors at Chantilly High School were, as a whole, incredibly professional. Although there were some inconsistent accents and moments of artificial intensity, these minor issues were quickly overshadowed by the cast’s outstanding presentation of the ultra-realism of the show. The sentimental, nostalgic nature of the production was superbly presented without breaching the threshold of what could be considered insincere.

 Amanda Miesner led the production in her portrayal of the titular character of the play, Mama. Her constant emotional hold on her character, her magnificent ability to play the matriarchal leader, and her unbelievably realistic Norwegian accent were combined in order to ensure that she remained a clear source of catharsis throughout the entirety of the production. The eldest daughter of the Hanson family, Katrin, was played by Alex Johnson. Johnson’s role as the narrator of various vignettes allowed her to deliver admirable, impressive soliloquies in front of a familial tableau.

 John Downey presented a truly memorable and standout character in his performance of the sharp, strong-willed Uncle Chris. His distinguished maturity and superlative character development served as a supplement to his first-class capability of both hilarious, side-splitting comedy and sincere, tender drama. Downey’s staunch portrayal of this stalwart character propelled him to the top of an already-outstanding cast.

 Realistic and detail-oriented attention was given to the technical aspects of the production. Costumes, heavily researched in order to be time-period specific, were a pleasant cavalcade of sensible, believable attire. The most impressive aspect of Chantilly’s technical production was the awe-inspiring, amazing, re-arrangeable set (AJ Gresick, Drew Pardo, Roxy Schumate, Chloe Vasquez) which featured three stage-spanning, professionally-constructed locations, expertly positioned by the Chantilly stage crew. This complicated set was skillfully lit by AJ Gresick and Drew Pardo.

 Chantilly’s performance of “I Remember Mama” epitomized professionalism and excellence in a high school setting. All who were in attendance at this remarkable production certainly learned that “it’s good for family to be together.”