By Melanie Petrucci, Senior Community reporter
Photo/Melanie Petrucci
Northborough – You know the songs, you may know the story, but you don’t want to miss Algonquin Regional High School’s production of the smash Broadway musical “Mamma Mia” featuring the songs of ABBA. It will be performed Thursday, Nov. 21, Friday, Nov. 22, and Saturday, Nov. 23, at 7 p.m. at ARHS, 79 Bartlett St.
The “jukebox” musical was written by British playwright Catherine Johnson who based it on the songs of ABBA. Its title is taken from the group’s 1975 hit “Mamma Mia.” It originally premiered on April 6, 1999 at the Prince Edward Theatre in London.
The plot unfolds on a Greek island when Sophie Sheridan’s quest to discover the identity of her true father to give her away at her wedding goes awry, bringing three men from her mother’s past back to the island.
ARHS senior Kevin Tucker, production stage manager, said that the cast of 42 actors,10 musicians, and crew have been preparing since mid-September. This production is very similar to what one would see on Broadway but some of the language and choreography are different.
Maura Morrison, show director and a member of the school’s faculty from the Fine and Performing Arts Department, echoed Kevin’s remark.
“We are producing a show geared toward students at our school and we just want to put on a show that is as engaging as we can make it,” she noted.
Other Fine and Performing Arts Department faculty members involved include Eric Vincent, music director, and Kathrine Waters, song coach.
The lead characters, mother and daughter duo – Donna and Sophie Sheridan – are performed by Miranda Slingluff and Sarah Boush respectively. Sophie’s love interest Sky is played by Ben MacNeil.
“It’s an awesome show and I love the music,” Slingluff said. “I think it’s great because everybody knows the show one way or another whether it’s because of the ABBA songs or like me – I grew up watching the movie or listening to them with my mom in the car.”
Sophomore Boush agreed and added that they have a great cast and have been working hard in rehearsals and can’t wait to perform it for an audience.
MacNeil, a senior, is a relative newcomer to acting, not having done many musicals in the past.
“The camaraderie of the entire cast as a whole – it’s such a good time and everybody loves being here and they love what they are doing. It’s going to be a really good show,” he said.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and can be purchased in advance at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4411665.
