This year, the theater department will put together a production of Mamma Mia!, a musical full of exciting dance numbers, singing, and drama. The storyline is based around the songs of  Swedish band ABBA, who was first popular in the 1970s and early 80s for a multitude of hit songs like “Dancing Queen,” “Chiquitita,” and “Waterloo.” The original musical was first performed in London in 1999, and later made into a movie adaptation in 2008 starring celebrities Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, and Pierce Brosnan.

Mamma Mia was chosen by director Elizabeth Kominski to highlight the talents of the current students in the program and also produce a fun and exciting show for the community. Expectations for the sets, lighting, and performances are set high thanks to the “extremely talented crew both on the stage and off,” said Kominski. Audiences can look forward to a new twist involving staff members in cameo performing roles, and “maybe even your principal on the stage,” teased Kominski.

With rehearsals now in full swing, the show is gearing up to be a huge success. The students have been focused and working hard. The production process this year seems to flow very smoothly, according to Kominski, who added that senior Avery Fox has been contributing excellent choreography. Kominski believes that the ease and excitement that Mamma Mia! radiates might be due to the fact that students are more familiar with the music and show.

The students involved in the musical are just as excited. It feels like the “perfect show” to end on, said senior Ellie Schwam as this is the last fall musical of her Sherwood career. The sense of community and the bonds among actors is strong, and it’s exciting for them to be able to perform alongside one another. “Some of these people I’ve never gotten the chance to be on stage with at the same time” said Schwam, who is playing the role of Donna Sheridan, one of the leads as owner of a hotel, mother, and friend.

Playing the role of Sophie, the leading character trying to find out the truth about her biological dad, are seniors Ali Weinrich and Melia Walz. There is lots of excitement regarding not only the musical but the part of Sophie for these actresses. Weinrich feels some kinship with Sophie because of her “goofy and cheesy but mostly really kind and sentimental” personality. Playing a lead is a big responsibility and a challenge with learning all the lines, dances, and songs, but she’s looking forward to helping “make a show come to life and have an audience connect” with her character.

This year’s fall musical of Mamma Mia! is expected to be a hit with audiences as the cast and crew are putting in lots of effort to make the production a wonderful success. Kominski and actors alike encourage everyone to come see the show from November 21-24 for a student price of $10, and can’t wait for audiences to experience the fun and excitement on stage.