The cast and crew of Mamma Mia grabbed the hand of their Williams Lake audience and led them on a wild ride down memory lane.
A Williams Lake Studio Theatre’s production of Mamma Mia by the theatre group wrapped on March 9 after a sold-out three-week run.
The production was an escape to the shores of a Greek island, and even more, it was a fun trip down a musical memory lane to the songs of ABBA.
For those of us who grew up in the 70’s and 80’s, the songs were flashbacks to belting out cheesy disco songs to a tape deck with a hairbrush microphone — or maybe this was just me.
Nearly from the moment the three characters of Donna, Rosie, and Tanya, took the stage, my face split into an irrepressible grin. It was nearly impossible to wipe the smile off my face while the three, played by Stacey Poirier, Mimi Searls, and Kathleen Macdonald, were on stage, they were a trifecta of fun.
The three best friends staged a comeback of their girl group on a Greek island which likely made many in the audience pine for a reunion with friends from a younger, less complicated time in their lives.
Watching the three women perform was transporting, and the drab weather and dusty streets of the town were left behind for a few hours.
These three were not the only highlights, though they did nearly steal the show. There were many great performances.
Another truly captivating actor to watch was Ross Coupé, as Harry, one of the potential fathers invited to the island for a wedding.
Sophie, played by Sienna McCarvill, is about to be married on a Greek Island. Her mother has never told her the identity of her father, so after reading her mother’s diary and identifying three possible candidates, Sophie invites the three men to her wedding. All three accept her invitation.
After having only previously heard him rapid-fire read resolutions in city council meetings as the city’s corporate officer, it was not only surprising but inspiring to see Coupé burst onto the stage with such presence and a great singing voice.
In the show’s program, Coupé thanks his wife and children for their patience with his endless singing over the months of preparation for the show, but the audience also owes him their appreciation.
His hard work clearly paid off, and when an actor can bring you along in the fun he is clearly having on stage, everyone wins.
The show brought audiences a little lightness before the time change sprang us forward into a little more sunshine.
It was the best Greek vacation this writer has every experienced, and likely to be the best one I’ll ever have for the very reasonable price of $25.
The studio theatre will performing the third and final production for their 69th season in May, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
For information and to purchase tickets when they become available, go to: https://www.wlstudiotheatre.ca/
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