by KT Leong
IPOH: Kinder Labz put on a spectacular year-end concert that had families and friends on their feet, as talented young stars from both Jalan Woodward and Bandar Baru Sri Klebang branches took to the stage for Mamma Mia: The Musical.
Held at Tandoor Grill’s event hall last Saturday, the production brought together 148 children from Pre-Nursery to K2, in a joyful celebration of music, movement and pure theatrical fun. The show followed a group of friends from their kindergarten days to young adulthood, with plenty of singing, dancing and those unforgettable ABBA songs.
Before the show began, Bonanza Educare’s Director of Schools, Ms. Evelyn Chen Lee Na, explained why she chose such an ambitious production. “I didn’t just want our children to do a concert for the sake of it,” she said. “I wanted them to move to songs that would be truly beneficial to them; songs that, when they go out, they can sing along to. Songs that, as they grow up, whenever they hear them, they’ll remember this night with the fondest memories.”
She acknowledged that organising 148 very young students was a near-impossible task. “But when you love what you do, everything becomes fun and joy. Perfection wasn’t what we were after. We wanted our children to have fun while creating their very own show.”
What many didn’t realise was just how much of herself Chen had poured into this production. She wrote the entire script, handpicked and adapted each ABBA song, choreographed the dance moves and even lent her own handbags as props to add that extra touch of authenticity.
But Chen didn’t stop at just working behind the scenes. She was right there on stage with the children, serving as narrator throughout the performance. Her warmth and genuine enthusiasm brought the story to life, guiding both the children and the audience through each scene.
“It was magical watching her with the children,” one parent said. “She wasn’t just standing there reading lines; she was dancing with them, celebrating with them. You could tell how much she loves these children.”
Having the Director herself as narrator sent a clear message: at Kinder Labz, leaders don’t just give instructions from the sidelines. They jump in and share the experience.
The performance was a charming take on Mamma Mia!, following six friends as they grew up together. The children were incredible, singing their hearts out, nailing the choreography and filling the hall with energy and joy.
The main cast, comprising five K2 students aged 6 and one K1 student aged 5, were:
- Clemence Than Zhi Lin (aged 5) as Sophie
- Jasper Phang Yik Kui as Fernando
- Koshnayaa Eesha Nair Arvindan as Neena
- Prabhnaam Singh as Muthu
- Faith Lee Qing as Izzy
- Muhamad Yusuf Irfan as Khairul
The concert began with a march to the singing of the song, Mamma Mia. The cast later wore lab coats, signifying that they were grown up and successful, as they sang the classic Money Money Money song. Ms Evelyn Chen took part in a special cameo, alongside Clemence Than, acting as mother and a daughter to the song Slipping Through My Fingers. It all culminated to all 148 students vibing to Dancing Queen as the grand finale.
As the final scene wrapped up and Chen delivered her closing lines, the room erupted in applause.
“This is what education should look like,” one grandparent said. “When the person in charge is willing to get up there with the children, that tells you everything. You can’t find this anywhere!”
For the young performers, it wasn’t just another school concert. It was a night where they discovered that their voices matter, and when you have people who believe in you enough to stand right beside you, anything feels possible.
