2023 Mamma mia!
Shasta High’s 54th Annual Musical
Shasta High’s “Mamma Mia!” opens this week
By Mike Mangas, KRCR
Aired on May 2023
Press
Starting tomorrow Shasta High’s 54th annual musical is set to take the stage this year for the first time. It’s “Mamma Mia!" The high energy musical features hits made famous by 1970’s supergroup, ABBA.
After seeing the movie, Director Gavin Spencer was not that excited about Mamma Mia. But then…
“I flew out to London to watch it on the West End and it was amazing! It was a party from start to finish. It’s such a unique show. You know it’s one of those jukebox musicals where they take already existing music from a group and they build you a story around the music. So it’s kind of different. Cause usually for musical theater, you know they’re building the music for the story. Right? This is like you’re building a story around music.” (Gavin Spencer)
The story features Sophie who right before her wedding is trying to figure out which of three men is her father. It’s a role that has long been a dream of Maddie McCaffrey.
“I was a big fan of Mamma Mia. And my grandma showed me it and I was like in love with it when I was younger. And so Sophie was always kind of something I just wanted to do.” (Maddie McCaffrey)
Riley Schillen plays Sophie’s mother, Donna who with the cast members who play the three men has to try and channel mature adults.
“Donna has had experiences that I’ve never had in her many years. And so it was a challenge trying to find a way to show those challenges in a 17 year old girl.” (Riley Schillen)
“I get the makeup on and try to deepen my voice, but sometimes it’s tough to really be old cause I’m not.” (Seth Huang, plays the role of Sam)
Mamma Mia opens tomorrow at the David Marr Theater on the UPrep campus. It runs tomorrow through Saturday. And then May 11, 12, and 13th. Tickets are $20 and $5 for students.
