On the eve of her wedding, a young woman’s quest to discover her father’s identity brings three men from her mother’s past back to the Greek island they last visited 20 years ago. Set to the hit songs of the Swedish pop band ABBA, “Mamma Mia!” tells the story of Sophie Sheridan and her mother, Donna, in a hilarious, “take-a-chance” tale of love, laughter and friendship as portrayed on stage by Mount Madonna School’s high school cast.
After headstrong Sophie secretly reads her mother’s journals, she narrows down her father’s identity to three possibilities. The story heats up as Sophie, unbeknownst to Donna, invites all three men to her wedding.
Performances are January 27 at 7 p.m., January 28 at 2 p.m. and a special sing-along performance is offered on January 28 at 2 p.m. at the Hawks’ Nest Theater at Mount Madonna School.
Tickets are available at mms-mammamia.brownpapertickets.com. Adult tickets are $15; $10 for 18 and under; all seats are reserved. Tickets for the sing-along performance are $20.
The original musical premiered onstage in 1999 and was later adapted into a 2008 film starring Amanda Seyfried and Meryl Streep.
“ABBA’s music will get the audience excited and up on its feet,” commented junior Anya Gonzalez, who plays Sophie in the MMS production. “In ‘Mamma Mia!’ there’s a universal theme of identity and the struggle revolving around finding one’s identity, which is part of human nature. Sophie is a prime example of that in that she is attempting to find her dad to fill in the missing piece of herself. Through the experience of portraying Sophie, I think I’ve learned how to be more carefree and bubbly.
“The story itself has characters who are all longing for something bigger than themselves and I think that’s something that high school students can all relate to,” continued Gonzalez. “It also sends the message that it’s important to let loose from your everyday life and be a little bit more carefree. The show completely counters the idea of the hustle culture that is prominent in today’s society.”
Mount Madonna’s high school performing arts program includes all students; grades nine through twelve.
“The arts are a marvelous place for a community to gather, and in the spirit of creativity and collaboration, we are pleased to see the student cast “own” this story, embrace the soundtrack and entertain us with their inspired movin’ and groovin’,” commented Director Chelsea Otterness.
Director Seán Boulware agreed.
“We are thrilled that MMS high school students chose “Mamma Mia!” as their winter production,” said Boulware. “It has wonderful themes and music that takes you back to the golden age of disco and ABBA. What a joy to be part of this stellar production.”
“Mamma Mia!” music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, with additional lyrics by Stig Anderson. “Mamma Mia!” was originally produced in London by Judy Craymer, Richard East and Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal. Additional Material & Arrangements by Martin Koch. Music published by Universal Music Publishing Group and EMI Grove Park Music Inc. and EMI Waterford Music Inc. “Mamma Mia!” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
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Nestled among the redwoods on 375 acres, Mount Madonna School (MMS) is a diverse learning community dedicated to creative, intellectual, and ethical growth. MMS supports its students in becoming caring, self-aware, discerning and articulate individuals; and believe a fulfilling life includes personal accomplishments, meaningful relationships and service to society. The CAIS and WASC accredited program emphasizes academic excellence, creative self-expression and positive character development. Located on Summit Road between Gilroy and Watsonville. Founded in 1979.