M’CHIGEENG—Get out your silver suit and pull on your Master John dancing boots! With a cast chockful of veteran thespians and a playlist of ‘70s superstars ABBA’s greatest hits, Manitoulin Secondary School (MSS) is ready to whirl your winter blues away with what promises to be an outstanding production of the romantic comedy musical ‘Mamma Mia!’
This production looks well on its way to continuing the MSS tradition of bringing live entertainment to the school’s stage with a polish and skill usually associated with “professional” theatre companies.
“It’s been amazing having Courtney Oswald join the directorate as co-technical director,” said Producer Yana Bauer. “Their education and experience in the field, as well as their background as one of the MSS theatre program’s alumni has helped make this an incredible show. And they have been a mentor to new stage managers Kimberlee Williams and Amara Wilson-Zegil.”
Not to give too much of the plot away, ‘Mamma Mia!’ is set on the fictional Greek island of Kalokairi where bride-to-be Sophie Sheridan reveals to her bridesmaids that she has secretly invited three men to her wedding without telling her mother, Donna. One is Sophie’s father, an Irish American architect named Sam Carmichael, the Swedish travel writer Bill Anderson and a British banker, Harry Bright. Sophie wants her biological father to give her away at the wedding and believes that after spending time with each of them, she will discover who her biological father is—hilarity is sure to ensue.
This production is blessed with a cast of talented young people who bring both a wealth of experience to the work that far belies their years while including new faces and voices that bode well for the future.
Sophie is played by MSS stage veteran Phoebe Aeschlimann, who previously starred in both 2023’s ‘Something Rotten’ and 2024’s ‘Beauty and the Beast.’
Donna is played by Cameron Meawasige, another experienced actor, who cut her teeth in the 2018 ‘Sound of Music’ production as Brigitta and who has graced the stage in numerous MSS and Burns Wharf productions since—including as Belle in last year’s outstanding ‘Beauty and the Beast.’
Saramarie Wassegijig is starring as Ali, having previously also been in the cast of ‘Beauty and the Beast.’
Lisa will be played by Evalena Mainprize, whose previous work was in ‘Beauty and the Beast.’
Tanya will be played by Maddy Latva-Aro in a first season appearance with MSS Musical Theatre.
Rosie is Divine Commanda, whose work was not only also in ‘Beauty and the Beast’, but also in 2023’s ‘Something Rotten’.
Sky Connor O’Leary was previously in ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘Something Rotten.’
This will be Pepper Landen Lane’s first season performing with MSS Musical Theatre.
Eddie Zayne Raynes was previously in ‘Beauty and the Beast.’
Harry Garrett Charbonneau was also previously in ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘Something Rotten,’ as was Bill Dylan Kuntsi.
Sam Jordan Goddard started on the MSS stage as Kurt in ‘Sound of Music’ in 2018 and has been in many MSS productions since, most recently as Nigel in the 2023 production of ‘Something Rotten.’
A surprise guest will fill the role of Father Alexandrios.
ABBA Singers include Lexi Chanin a first season performing with MSS Musical Theatre, while Taylor Goodfellow was in ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and Robyn-Ashley McNaughton was in ‘Something Rotten.’
Dancers include Idella Tasse who did turns in both ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘Something Rotten’ and Leah Heinen, in a first season performing with MSS Musical Theatre.
The chorus includes Elizabeth Elliott, ‘Something Rotten,’ Marley Meawasige, her first season performing with MSS Musical Theatre and Destiny Peltier who was in ‘Beauty and the Beast’ previously.
As is the MSS tradition, the action onstage is backed up by a group of adult volunteers who form the ‘pit band’ under the able baton of conductor (and keyboardist) Chris Theijsmeijer. The band includes four keyboard players, with quartet filled out by Alex Baran, Ray Scott and Holly Scott. Jon Best is on guitar along with Annette Smith (also bass) and Bill Elgie fills out the team with percussion.
Joining Courtney Oswald as co-technical director is MSS teacher Heather Theijsmeijer, while the stage management gig is handled by the team of Kimberlee Williams and Amara Wilson-Zegil. Ms. Thejsmeijer has taken on the jobs of lighting and set design, with head of lights Tanner Leblanc, head of sound Kaden Jamieson, head of props Courtney Oswald, stage crew of Alexis McVey and Kjell Smith, scenic design: Madonna Andress, set construction headed up by Stephen Robinson, whose construction team is made up of the MSS Tech classes—rounding out the backstage team is Madonna Andress.
Producer for the show is Yana Bauer, artistic director Michael Zegil, musical director Chris Theijsmeijer, choreographer Casey Boisvert, head of costumes Jill Ferguson.
Ms. Bauer offered deep thanks to the Burns Wharf Theatre Players; Candice Irwin, Body Stories Dance Education and Performance and Kat’s Pet Supplies.
As a special note, the production concludes with a sing-along and dance party that includes not only the cast, but the entire audience! We were serious about the suit and boots, well, sort of.
The Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre has donated four tickets for the ABBA tribute show in April that will be given away on opening night—so there is another great reason to come early.
The shows runs February 14 at 7 pm, with a 2 pm matinee on February 15. February 21 at 7 pm, followed again by a 2 pm matinee on February 22. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the Manitowaning, Little Current and Mindemoya Guardian pharmacies, the Gore Bay IDA Pharmacy or online at bit.ly/MammaMiaMSS.
Mamma Mia! is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com.
