Sounds of the Swedish pop supergroup ABBA can be heard emanating from the Dover-Sherborn High School as the cast of Mamma Mia is rehearsing to bring the musical’s incredibly catchy songs such as Dancing Queen and Take a Chance on Me to the stage at Mudge Auditorium March 14th through March 16th.
This is the second time around for the DS Drama Program to obtain licensing rights for Mamma Mia. Four years ago, cast members had been rehearsing for months, hundreds of costumes had been sewn, the orchestra had fine-tuned every note, stage crew had touched up the last of the set pieces with paint, sound, lighting, hair, make-up, and prop committee were ready to go. It was just days before “Show Week” when the pandemic hit and everything was shut down. Unfortunately, the students were never able to perform Mamma Mia in front of an audience in Mudge Auditorium.
Scott Walker, Director of Dover-Sherborn High School and Summer Drama Programs, reflects on the challenges and excitement of revisiting the production: “I have deliberately tried to avoid looking too much at what we did four years ago. There are certainly some larger cast numbers that we are able to look at for choreography and blocking, but I have not based the acting of the scenes on our show in 2020. It is a little easier to do any show a second time because you know the material better from the beginning, but Mamma Mia is twenty five back-to-back massive music numbers- almost all with the full cast. No matter how prepared you are for a show, that’s a ton to cover with any group and it never gets easy.”
There’s a special connection between some past and present cast members: a handful of families were involved four years ago, and now have younger siblings taking the stage in the current production. Amelia Hodson-Walker, part of the original cast and now a junior at Boston College, shares her excitement for the revival of Mamma Mia: “Although our performance of Mamma Mia didn’t make it to the stage, getting to watch my little brother and his friends - and all of the DS cast members - perform the show is the next best thing. I can't wait to be reminded of all of the dances, scenes, songs, harmonies, and I am looking forward to being able to experience the high-energy, uplifting spirit and excitement of Mamma Mia once again. I will be dancing and singing along from my seat!”
Bradley Hodson-Walker, a high school senior portraying Harry Bright, reflects on the unique parallel: “It’s very funny knowing that I'm doing the same dances as my older sister was doing four years ago, in the same show, in the same place, with the same directors; It is all happening at the exact same point in time only four years later. I hope she doesn’t look too closely at my dance moves!”
Jenifer Sunday, Technical Director and Dover-Sherborn Middle School Art Teacher, envisioned transforming Mudge into a Greek island paradise complete with a Tiki Bar. A group of dedicated volunteer parents with building expertise came for three Saturdays in a row to do the heavy building, followed by painting volunteers who brought vibrancy to the set pieces. Jonathan Hodson-Walker, volunteer parent, expressed his enthusiasm for the set design: “From my first set build for Carousel twelve years ago to Mamma Mia, it is always a thrill to help create the setting for the students to showcase their talents.”
Through the story-telling magic of ABBA's hit songs, this sunny and funny tale of Mamma Mia unfolds on a Greek island. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they visited 20 years ago. Hilarity ensues as they all claim to be her father! Scott Walker describes Mamma Mia as “just a party from beginning to end. It is flashy and fun with great music, lots of incredible dancing, and really heartfelt moments about the importance of family.”
Put on your platform shoes, get ready to release your inner Dancing Queen, and come see the ultimate feel-good show, Mamma Mia, at Mudge Auditorium! A large cast, non-stop laughs, and explosive dance numbers combine to make Mamma Mia a must see! Show dates are Thursday, March 14th at 6:30pm, Friday, March 15th at 7:00pm, a Saturday matinee on March 16th at 1:00pm, and an evening performance at 7:00pm. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased www.ticketstage.com or at the door.
