‘Mamma Mia!’ full cast two poses after performing. The show was successful, with all six performances sold out.
Under the bright lights of the school auditorium, the San Marin Musical Theater class brought Mamma Mia! to life. Mamma Mia! is a musical based on Swedish pop group ABBA’s songs, debuted in 1999 in London.
The story follows a young woman, Sophie Sheridan, who is on a quest to find her father in time for her perfect wedding day. The musical’s popularity, from success on Broadway and being produced in numerous venues worldwide, led to films in 2008 and 2018. Mamma Mia! won the Best Musical at the National Movie Awards and the Favorite Song from a Soundtrack at the People’s Choice Awards.
The creative vision of the Mamma Mia! musical came to life under the direction of Kele Gasparini, by guiding the cast through the emotional story to create the production at San Marin.
“I love working with theater classes and students,” Gasparini said. “This group of kids are super special, and it has been a joy watching them create a wonderful bond both on and off stage.”
In addition to Gasparini, teachers and parents helped prepare for the musical, including choreographer Kathy Eggert, who crafted the dance routines, Emily Gates, who taught the harmonies for the cast, and Allison Mclvor, who directed the band, and many others that executed the sets on stage.
The cast spoke highly of all the behind-the-scenes help that went into the production. Freshman Rogan Ferrell Bell, who performed as Pepper, the groom’s best man, had a wonderful experience with the cast and directors.
“Musical Theater class has really allowed me to make a lot of friends that are so encouraging and amazing,” Ferrell Bell said. “They will help anyone with anything; sadness, feeling out of it, homework, essentially anything. We are like one big family.”
Leading up to the play, the cast had to tap into the Mamma Mia! characters and some found it quite challenging, like sophomore Story Ng. Ng played Donna Sheridan, the mother to Sophie Sheridan and main character that anchors the plot of the musical. Junior Nathan Beaudette, who performed as Sky Rymand, Sophie’s fiancé, was thrilled to perform on stage even though he has never watched Mamma Mia!
“I had never seen Mamma Mia! so I didn’t know who Sky was to be honest, but I am always happy to be a part of the show and it is so much fun no matter the role,” Beaudette said.
Both Beaudette and Ng learned to tap into their characters and play the roles to their highest capability for the audience.
“The energizing effect that the colorful smiling actors have on the crowd encourages me to put on that face for everyone in the audience; I just want them to experience the show to its full potential,” Ng said.
With the musical theater class consisting of more than 20 students, some roles in Mamma Mia! had to be shared by two different people. Freshman Ashley Tyson, who performed as Sophie Sheridan, found switching off relaxing and enjoyed having a break between shows.
“It’s super nice to switch off with my double-cast so then I don’t get too burnt out for the upcoming shows,” Tyson said.
The musical theater class also has students that come from other schools, like sophomore Gabriel Schutz from Novato High School, along with eight other members of the cast. Schutz performed as Sam Carmichael, one of Sophie’s potential dads and Donna’s long lost love. He’s been working with the San Marin musical theater class since the beginning of this year and enjoys performing with the class.
“Musical Theater class has really allowed me to make a lot of friends that are so encouraging and amazing.”
Rogan Ferrell Bell
Freshman
“I was surprised when I got the role, but it’s been fun to be a part of both casts and I admire how every actor takes on their character differently,” Schutz said.
The Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) coordinator, Kris Starn, was ecstatic about how many people attended the production.
“All six shows were sold out. We’ve had to do standby lines every night. The kids are amazing!” Starn said.
