Donna (Marissa Von Ancken), a marriage skeptic, looks on while daughter Sophie (Allie MacDonald) and her fiancé Sky (Aiden Brennan) share a tender moment. Photo Courtesy of Chris Rushing
Sophie wants her father to walk her down the aisle at her wedding on a small Greek island. Trouble is, she doesn’t know who he is – and neither does her mother. After reading her mother’s diary, she discovers there are three possibilities. So unbeknownst to her mother, she invites them all.
That’s the premise of Woodson High’s rollicking spring musical, “Mamma Mia!” The curtain rises Friday, May 2 and May 9, at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, May 3 and May 10, at 1 and 7 p.m. Tickets are “pay what you can,” from
Sophie (Allie MacDonald) gazes upon her three potential fathers. From left, they are Peter Gardner (Harry), Graham Bickford (Sam) and Silas Blocker (Bill).
The musical features a cast and crew of 105, including a 30-member ensemble, and Director Chris Rushing said this musical’s characters fit his actors perfectly. “This is a super-fun show, which we all need right now,” he said. “And we’ve got a ton of fabulous dancers and great choreography. I’m really proud of the cast; their Covid years were in middle and elementary school, and this show celebrates how far they’ve come in their acting and musical-theater abilities.”
Scenes take place at the Greek taverna owned by Sophie’s mother and on the island’s beach. Audiences will also see a beautiful, marble fountain, and 40-inch paper lanterns will hang from the lights. “We hope to whisk people away to a romantic island,” said Rushing. “My goal is to bring people together for an escape and a couple hours of happiness.”
He said the show’s message is that “Hard times are temporary, and we should always rely on our friends and family – and we’ve got to take care of each other. These themes are universal. It’ll also appeal to everyone because the music’s timeless and the dancing is energetic. Anyone who comes here is going to leave tapping their feet and humming the songs.”
Playing Sophie is sophomore Allie MacDonald. “She’s complicated,” said MacDonald. “Sophie feels like she has a hole in her personality because she doesn’t know who her father is. She’s still confident, fun and happy, but feels like she’s missing something. But she’s also a little naïve, because she doesn’t think about how inviting the three, possible dads will affect her fiancé and her mom. But Sophie eventually realizes she doesn’t need to know who’s her actual dad to be a real person.”
“Although she’s 20, she’s a little clueless,” continued MacDonald. “And as human beings, both Sophie and I make mistakes sometimes. I like her journey of self-discovery, and I’m so honored to be playing such an important role. I’m in chorus, and I also enjoy singing and I like her songs a lot.”
Her favorite number is “Under Attack,” which Sophie sings during her nightmare while other people depict it through dance. “It’s a crazy number with really cool choreography, including lots of lifts,” said MacDonald.
She said the audience will like the show’s dramatic moments, plus “the elements of shock and surprise, as well as the funny lines. And all the tech elements are awesome; our set even has a fountain, a ‘Juliet’ balcony and special lighting.”
Sophie’s mom, Donna, is portrayed by senior Marissa Von Ancken. “In the show, she’s described as the ‘icon of female independence,’ but she’s also a very loving and caring mother,” said Von Ancken. “She’s a strong person who worked hard to get where she is, and I really like playing her. I grew up watching this movie and hoped to play Donna someday.
“I really loved her style of dress, especially her overalls, and I admired her spunk and personality. It’s an honor to play a lead role, and I’m thankful that I get to. It’s a lot of fun. My favorite song is ‘Slipping Through My Fingers’ because it was always special to me and my mother. Donna’s singing it to her daughter while helping Sophie get ready for her wedding. There’s one part where they sing together, and my mom and I always sang it together. It’s a sweet memory I have with her.”
Von Ancken said people will like “the story’s fun chaos because there are so many different things happening in the story at the same time. And certain people know things that others don’t. They’ll also enjoy the theme of family and friends. There’s the family bond Donna and Sophie have, plus the friendships between Donna and her two friends, Sophie and her friends, and even between the dads – who also grow close during the show.”
Senior Peter Gardner plays dad, Harry Bright. “He’s from England, so I talk with a British accent,” said Bright. “He’s a rich businessman and a little nervous – always rocking on his feet. He’s also a queer character which, as a queer person, is exciting for me to play. He’s probably the least likely to be Sophie’s father; yet, like the other two dads, he believes he’s the real one.”
Since the actors portraying those other dads are Gardner’s real-life best friends, he said, “It’s nice to be comedic partners with people I love working with. I also like that Harry’s the most sensitive of the three dads and, of them all, cares the most about being an actual father to Sophie, taking care of her and making sure she has what she needs.”
Gardner especially likes the song, “SOS,” because the duet between dad Sam and Donna is “really beautiful and also very catchy.” A close second, he said, is “Voulez-Vous” because “the dance number is so much fun to do. It’s a full-cast number, so it’s full of energy and life. Everyone’s singing and dancing together.”
Regarding the show, he said audiences will be laughing because the show’s so funny. “We also have some very talented vocalists that they’ll enjoy. And our costume crew is so dedicated and put so much thought and effort into their creations. Every character’s costume symbolizes a Greek god or goddess that reflects their particular personality.
Senior Millie Manos is understudying for Rosie, one of Donna’s friends. “She’s quirky, confident, knows who she is, and doesn’t follow typical, feminine stereotypes,” said Manos. “For example, she likes fishing and is unapologetically herself. She’s also a great friend, always looking out for Donna.”
Manos enjoys playing Rosie because, she said, “I see myself in her. It’s my first acting role here – I’ve been in chorus all four years – and I really like the community. Everyone is so kind. And I love her song, ‘Take a Chance on Me,’ because it’s so fun to perform – I get to crawl on a table. And I like that she’s so self-confident. She’s speaking for herself and what she wants and telling someone, ‘Hey, take a chance on me.’”
She said this show should be a big hit with audiences because “everyone’s been working their hardest on it and has put in so much dedication. The music is fantastic. There are so many talented actors in both the main and understudy casts that people should really see both. And the costumes are incredible. It’s just a great time.”