The cast have been rehearsing lunchtimes, three evenings a week and will even dedicate some of their precious school holiday time to refining the show.
Taupō-nui-a-Tia College’s production of ‘Mamma Mia’, the jukebox musical based around the music of Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, is on stage from May 20-24.
Once back from the term one holidays, students will have two weeks more practice, then technical rehearsals before they’re on, says director and college head of drama Viv Gowdy.
The worldwide hit show uses ABBA songs to tell the story of Sophie who wants her father to give her away at her impending wedding, but is unsure who he is, so secretly invites all three of her mother’s former suitors, to the ceremony.
The production features a dozen students in the group of leads and a cast of 55 overall.
Students were auditioned and then into rehearsals within a week or two of starting school.
“The pressure was on straight away,” says Vanya Heaslip who plays Sophie.
They are in good hands though with Gowdy having directed eight shows previously and head of music Rowan Bolley having just moved from Tauhara College where he was the music director of the school’s production of ‘Aotearoa: A New Zealand Rock Musical’ last year.
Diving headlong into their roles and Toni Neve’s choreography, are the rest of the leads: Francheska Matias (Donna), Enya Palmer (Tanya), Luka Ewert (Rosie), Ruby Walker (Ali), Kea Nukada (Lisa), Nick Ross (Sam), Stan Zabala (Harry), Quinn Walton (Bill), Patrick Fowler (Pepper) and Connor Morrison (Eddie).
The college’s season of Mamma Mia runs from May 20-24, with no show on the Friday night due to Rockquest though with a matinee as well as the final evening show on the Saturday.
Tickets are available on Trybooking.com, $20 students, $30 adults, $20 for gold card holders.
