The Arcadia Stage Theatre Company here at Arcadia High School (AHS) is excited to present their upcoming, in-person, spring musical Mamma Mia!. 

This musical will be entirely performed by members of the Arcadia Stage Theatre Company, and will take place in AHS’ Performing Arts Center (PAC). There are four productions: Mar. 17 and Mar. 18 at 7:00 p.m., and Mar. 19 at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. 

Tickets can be purchased at arcadiastage.com. Seniors and AHS students can enter at a cost of $10, general admission costs $15, and VIP seating is $30. 

Mamma Mia! is an uplifting and inspiring musical that will have the audience singing and dancing to the musical tunes of ABBA. ABBA, a famous Swedish pop group, is made up of Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. In 1999, ABBA’s music was adapted into Mamma Mia!, and into the sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, in 2018. The music composed for Mamma Mia! and its sequel influenced AHS’ Mamma Mia! production!

The Arcadia Stage Theatre Company’s Beginning and Advanced Stage Craft students have created an amazing set design for Mamma Mia!. It is a three-story set with plenty of surprise pieces!

Additionally, the L.A. Health Department has lifted COVID-19 restrictions on Mega events, and thus, it is no longer required to check audience member’s vaccination status. However, masks will still be required for all cast, crew, and audience members. 

In terms of the lead roles in Mamma Mia!, Emily Fang is cast as Sophie Sheridan; Ashley Wearp is cast as Ali; Ariel Alcazar is cast as Lisa; Nat Freese is cast as Donna Sheidan; Meron Girma is cast as Tonya; Katie Siriani is cast as Rosie; Jared Dianels is cast as Sky; Christopher Munoz is cast as Pepper; Kyle Alpine is cast as Eddie; Brian Oh is cast as Harry Bright; Mako Amano is cast as Bill Austin; Kevin Wu is cast as Sam Carmichael; and Ben Porter is cast as Father Alexandrios. The choreographer is Jean Michelle Sayeg, the director is Steven Volpe, and the musical director is Allen Everman. 

Juniors Emilie Conner and Amber Comanescu describe their roles in the production, and explain how they prepared in advance for the show. 

“I am cast as a Featured Dancer in Mamma Mia! and it’s a lot of fun!” stated junior Emilie Conner. “With musicals there is a lot of choreography which means having a lot of rehearsals for the various numbers in the show. As far as role prep goes, in Advanced Theatre we always take a class day to focus on creating and truly tapping into our character and their environment, regardless if they are main characters or not. Relating the character to yourself is one of the more helpful tactics, for example I dance in ‘Voulez-Vous’ which is one big dance party before Sophie’s wedding, and who doesn’t love dancing at a party with your friends? Breaking down the goals and different achievements of your character is truly what brings them to life in each scene.”

“My role in our production, Mamma Mia!, is Lead Dancer,” said junior Amber Comenescu. “I prepared by learning the dance numbers through constant practice and repetition. 

It is evident that a tremendous amount of effort and dedication was put into this musical, and a large number of memories were made as well.

“My favorite memory from Mamma Mia! so far is getting to know the Intermediate Theatre students who were cast in it alongside myself and the other Advanced members,” Conner remarked. “For those who don’t know, Arcadia Stage’s fall productions are performed by just the Advanced cast, while the spring musical is opened up for the intermediate class to audition. It’s definitely a change having the two classes work together on a show, but it’s very fun, and we learn a lot from each other.” 

“My favorite memory from preparing for the show was learning all the choreography for the dance numbers, and seeing our costumes for the first time,” Comanescu claimed.

When considering the efforts put into Mamma Mia!, there are plenty of reasons why you should look forward to the production. 

“The main thing I’m excited for people to experience when they come and see Mamma Mia! is our set and lighting,” Conner said, “I can’t reveal too much, but I will say that the PAC is going to be one fun disco club! The audience for Mamma Mia! is even invited to get up and dance along with us on stage to all this amazing ABBA music that truly represents the heart of the 1970s. Sophie and Donna’s story of self-discovery will make you laugh, cry, and dance your way out of the theater. We have been working so hard and are all thrilled to share our show when we open in mid-March!” 

“I think what people are going to be looking forward to the most is the music,” Comanescu stated. “Most people know ABBA and will find themselves singing along with the cast and will have a fun time watching the performance.”

Keep up the good work to the Arcadia Stage Theatre Company! We hope to see you at Mamma Mia!. 

Graphic courtesy of ARCADIA STAGE THEATRE COMPANY