From Nov. 7 to Nov. 20, Aragon Drama put on “Mamma Mia!”, the first show of the year.
The musical tells the tale of single mother Donna Sheridan and her twenty-year-old daughter Sophie who invites three men she suspects are her father to her upcoming wedding.
With motifs of family and love woven into dynamic, upbeat and high-spirited ABBA songs, the musical’s theme is best captured by drama teacher and director Shane Smuin.
“With all of the weird things happening in this world, people need to be able to go somewhere and just have a good time,” Smuin said.
Dance captain and senior Deirdre Doyle offers a similar interpretation.
“The motto to employ in ‘Mamma Mia!’ is [to] just have fun,” Doyle said. “It’s impossible not to smile when listening to most ABBA songs.”
With four months of preparation, students spent long hours practicing for the performance. According to Smuin, the cast and crew spent up to eighteen hours per week in preparation for the performance. Because of this, drama students developed a strong bond before hitting the stage.
“We’ve all become a family since we spend almost every day after school together,” said senior Alexa Latini, who played Donna. “Bonding with everyone in the cast is by far my favorite part of rehearsals. Drama is filled with kind and supportive people that really make you feel at home.”
Despite the positives, the process of developing characters from scripts to real-life people was not without challenges.
“When I found out I got the part of Donna, I couldn’t help but feel some imposter syndrome,” Latini said. “I thought perfection was the only path to success. However, mistakes are a part of life, and one of the most important aspects of theater is ‘rolling with the punches’ and playing off mistakes in the moment because the show must go on.”
Some cast members reflect on what the show has meant to them.
“This endeavor has taught me that not every musical needs to be a big statement, or have a deep message,” said junior Phoenix Seevers, who played Harry Bright. “’Mamma Mia!’ is a sweet, feel-good story that makes for just as great of a night at the theater as any other show.”
The musical featured a unique wooden set which rotated on wheels to depict two settings: a calming beach scene on one side, and a Greek taverna complete with loulaki blue on the other. Throughout the play, the stage crew bustled about — rolling in suitcases, a bed, a dresser and other props as needed.
“I think the set design was amazing,” said audience member and senior August Simenc. “It’s one of the best [sets] we’ve ever had.”
Cast members wore an array of costumes developed by costume designer Margaux Mansfield, ranging from casual vacation clothes to formal wedding wear, in vibrant colors concurrent with the lighthearted and fun nature of the play.
Beyond its playful and comedic elements, “Mamma Mia!” also employs a variety of emotional nuances, challenging actors to express inner depth.
“People think of ABBA as being sweet and cute, but there are some really great opportunities for [good acting], with heartbreak and unexpected growth,” Smuin said. “It’s all about the creative process … working with the young actors and coming up with the ways that they best can express that character [and] that situation. That’s the fun of the whole thing.”
Audience members were drawn to the high-energy of the show.
“The trio [Donna, Tanya and Rosie] [was] really fun,” said junior Chloe Chan. “They seemed to have really good chemistry.”
After the performances, cast members reflect on what they have taken away from the show.
“[‘Mamma Mia!’] has taught me that you can’t take yourself so seriously,” Latini said. “There have been many moments where I’ve bumped into set pieces or flubbed a line that has actually made the scene more realistic. We’re not perfect in real life, so adding in those human moments makes the show have [a] heart that I hope the audience will enjoy.”
Freshman ensemble member Brody Friedeberg reflects on his first high school show.
“I never thought I would be in a production like this, so looking back, I am very impressed with how far I have come,” Friedeberg said. “After the performance … I was very proud and excited for [future] shows.”
Aragon Drama will perform “The Diary of Anne Frank” in the spring.
