Jul 23, 2025

Hays Community Theatre to present ABBA hit musical 'Mamma Mia!'

Posted Jul 23, 2025 10:01 AM
Cast members dance and sing to a reprise of Mamma Mia! at the conclusion of the Hays Community Theatre's performance of the musical "Mamma Mia!" Photo by Bill Gasper/Special to Post
Cast members dance and sing to a reprise of Mamma Mia! at the conclusion of the Hays Community Theatre's performance of the musical "Mamma Mia!" Photo by Bill Gasper/Special to Post

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

Hays Community Theatre will stage the ABBA hit musical "Mamma Mia!" at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Beach-Schmidt Performing Arts Center on the Fort Hays State University Campus.

"Mamma Mia!" is a jukebox sensation based on a book by Catherine Johnson and music by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus from the band ABBA, said Director Pamela Grizzell.

"If you were a kid in the '70s, the place to go was Stardust Skate Center, and the tunes playing through the air were ABBA. It really touches a generation. They have taken all of the ABBA songs and created a sensational playlist that makes you want to sing along, dance along," she said.

 Lisa (Allie Straub) and Ali (McKynlee Stecklein) listen as Sophie (Rebecca Cole) reads from her mom’s diary in Act 1 of Mamma Mia!, which will be presented Thursday-Saturday by Hays Community Theatre at Beach-Schmidt Performing Arts Center. Photo by Bill Gasper/Special to Post
 Lisa (Allie Straub) and Ali (McKynlee Stecklein) listen as Sophie (Rebecca Cole) reads from her mom’s diary in Act 1 of Mamma Mia!, which will be presented Thursday-Saturday by Hays Community Theatre at Beach-Schmidt Performing Arts Center. Photo by Bill Gasper/Special to Post
 Taking a trip down memory lane, Donna and the Dynamos sing “Dancing Queen.” The trio is comprised of Tanya (Wendy Richmeier), Donna (Anita Walters), and Rosie (Dana Jo Stanton). Photo by Bill Gasper/Special to Post
 Taking a trip down memory lane, Donna and the Dynamos sing “Dancing Queen.” The trio is comprised of Tanya (Wendy Richmeier), Donna (Anita Walters), and Rosie (Dana Jo Stanton). Photo by Bill Gasper/Special to Post

The musical premiered at the Prince Edward Theatre in the West End in 1999.

The film adaptation was released in summer 2008 and starred Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried and Pierce Brosnan.

The story opens as friends and family are gathering for the wedding of young Sophie Sheridan.

Sophie has never met her father and invites several men who had relationships with her mother, Donna, in an attempt to determine which one is her dad.

Expressing her emotions related to the love she once had, Donna (Anita Walters) sings “The Winner Takes It All.”  Photo by Bill Gasper/Special to Post
Expressing her emotions related to the love she once had, Donna (Anita Walters) sings “The Winner Takes It All.”  Photo by Bill Gasper/Special to Post
Tanya (Wendy Richmeier) brushes off the advances of young suitor Pepper (Arron Hardin) during the song “Does Your Mother Know.”  Photo by Bill Gasper/Special to Post
Tanya (Wendy Richmeier) brushes off the advances of young suitor Pepper (Arron Hardin) during the song “Does Your Mother Know.”  Photo by Bill Gasper/Special to Post

Her mother doesn't know of Sophie's plan, and it has been a long time since she has seen any of the men from her past.

Bill Gasper, assistant director, said the musical offers a little romance and surprise, and in the end, Donna reunites with her love.

"It's the theme of family, freindship and coming of age and discovering who you really are," Grizzell said.

The cast comprises 33 actors, with Rebecca Cole playing Sophie, the daughter, and Anita Walters playing Donna, the mother.

Harry (Andy Stanton) and Donna (Anita Walters) reminisce their past time together in the song “Our Last Summer.”  Photo by Bill Gasper/Special to Post
Harry (Andy Stanton) and Donna (Anita Walters) reminisce their past time together in the song “Our Last Summer.”  Photo by Bill Gasper/Special to Post

"We have a lot of senior actors in Hays who don't always have those opportunities to shine," Grizzell said, "and this is like the golden ticket for them. It provides a venue, an outlet for them to show off their craft."

Grizzell said the cast includes actors of all ages, and that is the meaning of community theater.

"I have to give it to the board, who chose this show," she said. "Not only is it something that the audience is going to love, but it also really reflects all the actors' abilities in our community, and it lets everybody get involved."

Returning from a fishing trip, Rosie (Dana Jo Stanton) and Bill (Monte Smith) are not shy about revealing their feelings for each other.  Photo by Bill Gasper/Special to Post
Returning from a fishing trip, Rosie (Dana Jo Stanton) and Bill (Monte Smith) are not shy about revealing their feelings for each other.  Photo by Bill Gasper/Special to Post
Sophie and Sky are interrupted by a group of party-goers, who arrive on the scene to take Sky away to his bachelor’s party. Photo by Bill Gasper/Special to Post
Sophie and Sky are interrupted by a group of party-goers, who arrive on the scene to take Sky away to his bachelor’s party. Photo by Bill Gasper/Special to Post

Gasper said he wanted to echo the praise of the cast.

"This show has a lot of choreography, more than most shows do. ... They have really held together and done a great job on that. Our principal actors are excellent," he said. "They sing well. Our ensemble, I think, sounds phenomenal when they are singing together. 

"It is overall a very, very good dynamic show. I have been involved in a lot of productions, and this is really top-notch."

Grizzell said the actors in this production have a lot of insight. 

"Because some of them are a little older, they bring life experiences with them," she said. "Monte Smith is the one who comes to mind. He has been with the community theater for a long time and even directed at the high school for a few years.

"He brings a wealth of knowledge and instinct on where he needs to be and what he needs to do and how he can draw that extra emotion out."

On the eve of their wedding, Sophie (Rebecca Cole) and Sky (Nathan Stecklein) sing “Lay All Your Love On Me.”  Photo by Bill Gasper/Special to Post
On the eve of their wedding, Sophie (Rebecca Cole) and Sky (Nathan Stecklein) sing “Lay All Your Love On Me.”  Photo by Bill Gasper/Special to Post
Donna (Anita Walters) considers a proposal from her lost love, Sam, (Travis Grizzell) as he sings “I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do.”  Photo by Bill Gasper/Special to Post
Donna (Anita Walters) considers a proposal from her lost love, Sam, (Travis Grizzell) as he sings “I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do.”  Photo by Bill Gasper/Special to Post

She said several actors in the show have the ability to bring the show to life.

Gasper taught at Hays High School and still directs shows there, but he said he has been a bit overwhelmed by the move from the community theatre venue downtown to the performing arts center. 

The crew began teardown on Sunday and has less than a week to fine-tune the sets, audio and lights.

Tickets must be purchased through HCTKS.com or at the door and are $15 each. 

The show's music director is Amy Staab, and the director of choreography is Nathan Leiker

Cast list
Sophie Sheridan
—Rebecca Cole 
Ali—McKynlee Stecklein 
Lisa—Allie Straub
Donna Sheridan—Anita Walters
Tanya Chesham-Leigh—Wendy Richmeier
Rosie Mulligan—Dana Jo Stanton 
Sam Carmichael—Travis Grizzell
Harry Bright—Andy Stanton
Bill Austin—Monte Smith
Sky—Nathan Stecklein
Pepper—Arron Hardin
Eddie—Nathan Leiker
Father—Alexandrios Everett Robert
Young Sophie—Victoria Heimann

Ensemble (Local residents)—Mia Baltodano, Sadie Campbell, EJ Fenwick, Lydia Funk, Allison Goertzen, Morgan Greenwood (waitress), Zachary Leiker, Rowan Neeley, Bryler Russell, Madicyn Urban, Olivia Werth 

Ensemble (Tourists) Adam Conkey, Nicole Feyerherm,  Jeanne Geist, Lilly Kimberlein, Adrian Normandin,  Everett Robert, Holly Trullinger, Katie Vaughn