Mamma Mia performance a hit with flair and surge of joy

Donna, played by WHS senior Alice Morrison, center, sings
with her girlfriends Tanya (senior Emma Chase, left) and 
Rosie (senior Peyton White, right), during the production
of Mamma Mia at Windham High School on Nov. 21.
PHOTO BY JENNIFER SEARWAY  

By Lorraine Glowczak

It was an afternoon of outstanding talent as the cast and ensemble of Mamma Mia swept a captured audience away to a Greek isle in their sixth and final performance on Sunday, Nov. 21. The Windham High School auditorium was packed with individuals trying to remain still in their seats while watching the characters as they sang and danced to the popular tunes of ABBA on a marvelously crafted stage – a popular tourist villa owned by Donna, played by WHS senior Alice Morrison.

Morrison’s spectacular performance as a mother who raised her daughter Sophie (junior, Maddie Hancock) as a single mother on the island, is supported by a cast of other talented theatrical actors – all of whom mastered the genius of vocal harmony.

For those who may need a plot refresher, the audience follows the life of 20-year-old Sophie, who is engaged to be married to Sky (junior, Liam Yates). She has never known who her father is. However, discovering her mother’s diary reveals three possibilities, an adventurer named Sam (senior, William Searway), a writer named Bill (senior, Bradley Smith), and a banker named Harry (senior, Bradley Collins). Without her mother’s knowledge, Sophie mails a wedding invitation to the three men with hopes of having not only to discover who her father is but that he will also walk her down the aisle.

In the meantime, Donna and two of her oldest friends, a frumpy author named Rosie (senior, Peyton White) and a wealthy divorcee fond of facelifts named Tanya (senior Emma Chase who is also student director) prepare for the wedding.

The antics go into drama overdrive throughout the two-hour performance that are interspersed with famous ABBA songs. At the wedding, Donna tells Sophie - and to all gathered there - that her father could be any of the three men. The men do not want their paternity confirmed – each agreeing to be one-third of a father to Sophie. Sam reveals he has loved Donna forever and proposes to Donna, Rosie swoons over Bill, and Sky and Sophie sail away on an adventure.

One guest actor in the show needs a brief highlight and that is the priest overseeing the wedding, Father Alexandrios played by RSU 14’s Superintendent of the Year, Chris Howell.

But perhaps what makes this performance of Mamma Mia so special is the fact that it is the first theatrical live performance since the pandemic hit our shores. Director Rob Juergens, Windham Middle School’s Eighth Grade Social Studies Teacher, who has been directing both WMS and WHS plays for 25 years shares the emotions of the actors about returning to the stage.

“The feelings of everyone involved were complicated,” Juergens said. “Until we actually opened there was fear that we might be shut down from COVID-19. On opening night, I felt such a surge of joy. I was overwhelmed. Every night you could see the energy the cast put into the show, which was a reflection of how much they have missed performing.”

Juergens stated that over 250 people attended each night of the six performances and got to share in that same joy.

 “The audience support, and involvement showed how much they had missed events such as this too.”

Perhaps the first few lines of ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” put the actors’ and community’s experience of returning to live theater best: “Ooh - You can dance -You can jive -Having the time of your life.”

Cheers to all the talented cast and crew who made returning to live performance a magical experience - including the following not mentioned above:

Ali-Sophie Koutalakis                                             

Lisa-Molly Plati                                                                                                              

Pepper-Teddy Becker                                            

Eddie (First week)-Dallin Duncan                         

Eddie (Second week)-Lucas Cormier                           

Ensemble:

Hannah Bowker

Ashley Littlefield

Bella Bragdon

Kaitlyn Farrin

Stuart Gabaree

Victoria Lin

Rosario Lydon

Matthew Medina

Molly Plati

Maia Ransom

Bryce Smith

Riley Yates

Tech Director: CJ Payne

Choreographer: Vanessa Beyland

Accompanist: Betty McIntery

Producers: Jennifer Chase and Jennifer Searway

Music director: Dr. Richard Nickerson

The costume, tech and pit crew <