Mamma Mia, Hither [We] Become Once more!

The Bluish Valley West theater department will put on the famous musical production of "Mamma Mia!"

Photos+by+Zach+Spencer

Photos by Zach Spencer


February ix, 2022

To see the performance of "Mamma Mia!", buy your tickets here.

My, my, how could y'all resist a performance like this? This winter, BV West'due south theater department has been hard at work on the musical product of "Mamma Mia!" The well-known evidence attracted a large cast and crew as well as loftier apprehension for its premiere.
Originally, the musical was written by playwright Catherine Johnson and was inspired by songs of the popular 70's band ABBA. Its Broadway debut was in 2001, and since and then it was adapted into a hit motion picture franchise starring Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried. The movies rose in popularity over the last 2 decades and kept the story besides as the songs fresh in people'due south minds.
Why choose Mamma Mia? The upbeat show holds a special place in the hearts of many, as the show and the music featured in information technology are pop among a wide variety of ages.
"That'southward one of the reasons we chose Mamma Mia, because of its popularity. It's a hot show right now," director Reed Uthe said. "The music is popular and there's a lot of nostalgia attached to it, specially for parents because of the ABBA songs."
"Mamma Mia!" also provides a modify in vibe and a fun experience.
"We wanted to kind of exercise the reverse of Macbeth," Uthe said, referring to last fall's production of the famous Shakespearean play. "That was a more serious show, and and so were our repertory theater shows. We knew nosotros needed something fun and light-hearted."
This will be Uthe's first full-out musical since his inflow at West. It will include alive vocals as well as acting and dancing. It is also one of the largest nonetheless since "Mamma Mia!" includes 65 bandage members.
The amount of participation amazed Uthe, simply also posed challenges. "About 70 people in the cast is a lot to have on," Uthe said.
Uthe previously directed shows at Lakewood Middle School. "I'm used to a large bandage working at the heart school," Uthe said. "Information technology'south different with high schoolers. Rehearsal is longer and there are more technical things. Yous tin can take on more challenging material."
Rehearsals picked up equally the show date approached. "It's been a great process so far," Uthe said. "We're adding all the technical elements, such equally lighting, costumes, and props. The terminal couple rehearsals we've been working on polishing."
The time delivery has been a lot for staff members working on the musical likewise equally students participating in it.
"Fourth dimension is always a large thing. Rehearsals for this become longer and there's a lot nosotros have to do exterior of them, too," Uthe said. "But seeing all the difficult piece of work come together makes it worth it. It's so fun for us to get to share all that we have done."
Sophomore Lily Seitz, who plays the second lead role of Sophie Sheridan, had to make sacrifices to participate.

Photos by Zach Spencer

"The schoolhouse musical is a time commitment for sure, you lot'll exist staying for rehearsal almost every solar day until six," Seitz said. "I had to rearrange a lot of my out-of-school activities to make sure I had time for rehearsal. [Bandage members] volition spend a lot of time at school to turn the show into something great."
Seitz has been doing the musicals since her freshman year at West.
"I've always been more of a musical girl because I get to sing and dance," Seitz said. "I've seen how astonishing [the musicals] have been."
For an underclassman, taking on the master office posed a triumph and a challenge.
"Getting to play Sophie was a very unexpected affair for me that I am so grateful for," Seitz said. "I was thrilled across belief but overwhelmed… this whole show has been a huge learning feel and a challenge."
The musical will be the last major product at West for the 2021-2022 school yr. Although not every senior was cast as a lead role, they notwithstanding had a big impact in their final year of doing theater at BVW.
"I accept appreciated the leadership that they've shown. They've been ready to take any roles that they become," Uthe said. "The senior class is an exceptional class that volition get out behind big shoes to fill up. They've made kids from every course level feel included and I'yard and then very grateful for that."
Senior Caleb Lightner has participated since his freshman year as well, having been involved in five shows. Last year, he played Sebastian in the production of "The Little Mermaid", which is one of his favorite memories. For this prove, he portrays Sam Carmichael, the lead male role.
"I would say playing a big function comes with its struggles," Lightner said. "You have to play this character who you have no like experiences with, and then discover a way to brand the audition connect with them."
Despite the force per unit area and expectations, Lightner has found means to take some of the weight off. "Mr. Uthe is very helpful in giving guidance to help play the office," Lightner said.
Senior Lucky Cheedella is participating in the testify as a featured dancer. Cheedella has had twelve years of classical Indian dance grooming as well as experience with Bollywood dance. Still, this was the first musical at BV West that she joined the cast of.
"I was in [the] coiffure for a lot of shows," Cheedella said. "I wanted to endeavor something new this fourth dimension. It's pretty intensive [for a cast member]. In that location are seven costume changes, it'south kind of crazy."
The pressure of existence on phase is something Cheedella consistently faces.
"I've been dancing a long fourth dimension so I've made techniques to deal with the stage fright," Cheedella said. "I similar to think of people as inanimate objects so that they tin can't have opinions."
Applying these techniques was important when the "Mamma Mia!" bandage performed a snippet of their show during the Sweetheart trip the light fantastic toe assembly on Friday.
"For underclassmen, don't wait till senior year to get out of your comfort zone, no one is going to judge you," Cheedella said.
She reflected on the fun she had participating.
"I love bonding with the dancers, I've plant a lot of new friends here. And performing on the stage is the biggest payoff," Cheedella said.
Afterward months of hard work, cast and crew members volition finally nowadays all that they put together this week.
The show will be premiering from Feb tenth through the twelfth at seven p.chiliad. in the PAC. Saturday will also have an extra matinee operation at 2 p.thousand., to offer those who can't exist out as late a adventure to come across information technology. There will as well be a gratuitous performance Wed, Feb 9 at vii p.m.