Armada High will rock to the disco beat of ABBA in November, when students perform the jukebox musical “Mama Mia!”
The musical will be performed at 7 p.m. Nov. 10 and 11 and 2 p.m. Nov. 12 in the auditorium at Armada High School, located at 23655 Armada Center Road. The cost to attend is $10 for students or $12 for adults. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at showtix4u.com/events/866.
Armada High School teacher Lia DiFonzo will direct the show. She said the cast comprises 33 students, with 29 from Armada High School and four from Armada Middle School. DiFonzo said many of the student participants are in her acting classes, but there are also some students involved who are new to the program.
“I have very strong vocalists and actors whom I knew could handle the show’s rigorous music,” DiFonzo said. “Also, the types of relationships and heart of the characters are similar humanistic qualities that I see in my students. I knew they would relate to and enjoy playing these characters. Also, it’s just plain fun and would attract our community.”
Music in “Mama Mia!” includes songs recorded by ABBA, such as the 1975 chart-topper “Mama Mia.” A few of the other well-known hits in the show include “Lay All Your Love on Me” and “Dancing Queen.”
“The harmonies are quite complex and some of the music has to be sung offstage, which is a challenge itself,” DiFonzo said. “The characters have a challenging balance of rocking out and then being very gentle in conveying their message.
“As far as acting goes, the students may not have had experience with romantic relationships and marriages yet, but they certainly can understand parent/child dynamics and friendships. This can be challenging to portray as it’s a vulnerability.”
The musical’s story centers on Sophie and her mother Donna, who live on a Greek island. Sophie is preparing to marry her finance Sky. She wants her father to walk her down the aisle but does not know who he is. She discovers her mother’s old diary and decides to send invitations to three men listed therein to her wedding, as each could possibly be her father.
In the Armada High production, Ruby Amthor will portray Donna Sheridan and Addison Miller will portray Sophie Sheridan.
“There’s many factors that I consider when casting, but I look at who is the best to support the whole cast/crew in that production. It really is a collaborative process and my students work hard to achieve this,” DiFonzo said.
Amthor, 16, is a junior at Armada High School with prior theater experience, including having performed in an Armada High School production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” She is also currently involved with All The World’s A Stage theatre arts program, which has a studio in Washington Township and administrative offices in Clinton Township. Amthor said that “Mama Mia!” marks the 25th production that she has been in.
“It is just iconic, like an iconic show. Everyone knows it,” Amthor said. “The music is big, the sets are big, the costumes are loud and colorful, and everything is so vibrant.
“What I really enjoy about it is how it showcases girl power. It shows girl power and acceptance of different families, and how a single mom can raise a kid and have a hotel to run by herself, and not need the support and help of others. What is interesting about this character is Donna by the end realizes she needs to start accepting love from others.”
Nicole Tuttle is a freelance reporter for The Voice.