Submitted
Hays Community Theater has announced the cast for its summer musical, “Mamma Mia!,” which will be performed on July 24-26 at Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center.
Written by Catherine Johnson and featuring the music of ABBA, HCT’s production will have a cast of 36 under the direction of Pamela Grizzell. Music director will be Amy Staab, while Bill Gasper will serve as assistant director.
“Mamma Mia!” became a huge hit onstage and then on film, first opening in London in 1999. The musical’s first New York engagement ran for 5,773 performances from 2001 to 2015, which made it the ninth-longest-running show in Broadway history. Its 50 productions around the world, in 16 languages, have been seen by more than 70 million people.
The local performance of the smash hit precedes a return of the musical to Broadway this summer when it opens Aug. 2 for a limited run at the Winter Garden Theatre, its original Broadway home.
“I am deeply privileged for the opportunity to direct ‘Mamma Mia!,’” Grizzell said. “I look forward to a fantastic summer working with a company of very talented musical actors.”
Grizzell said the story takes place on a mythical Greek island in the present day, and centers around a young girl named Sophie who dreams of a wedding with her father giving her away at the altar.
Problem is, she doesn't know who her dad is — and she's getting married the next day. As the show begins, she explains to her chums that her mum, Donna, fell into the arms of three men within a short space of time. So she's got three possible dads and has invited them all to the wedding.
Auditions for this summer’s performance took place in mid-March with rehearsals set to begin in June. Tickets will be available at a later date at https://www.hctks.com/
“In 1979, I was just a kid making that transition from listening to my grandparent’s Rat Pack vinyls to modern music of the time,” Grizzell said.
“I was captivated by the dazzle of disco balls and the sound of artists like ABBA, Blonde, Styx and Fleetwood Mac. For me, ‘Mamma Mia!’ is one big dance party that you don’t want to miss. Anyone who was a kid in that era can’t help but be swept up by its musical charm.”
Mamma Mia Cast List
Donna Sheridan-Anita Walters
Sophie Sheridan-Rebecca Cole
Sam Carmichael-Travis Grizzell
Harry Bright-Andy Stanton
Bill Austin-Monte Smith
Sky Nathan-Stecklein
Rosie Mulligan-Dana Stanton
Tanya Chesham-Leigh-Wendy Richmeier
Pepper-Arron Hardin
Eddie-Nathan Leiker
Ali-McKynlee Stecklein
Lisa-Allie Straub
Father-Alexandrios Everett Robert
Ensemble: Mia Baltodano, Sadie Campbell, Adam Conkey, EJ Fenwick, Nicole Feyerherm, Lydia Funk, Allison Goertzen, Morgan Greenwood, Lilly Kimberlin, Zachary Leiker, Rowan Neeley, Adrian Normandin, Bryler Russell, Holly Trullinger, Madicyn Urban, Katie Vaughn, Oliva Werth