Behind the scenes- Mamma Mia

The Midland Center for the Arts is hosting “Mamma Mia”. After a year and a half of preparation, the 36 cast members will take the stage starting on Friday, Sept. 20-29. 

Auditions were one of the first steps to bring the musical to life.

 “The first night, they did a dance and then they sang a song of their choice,” director Tommy Wedge said. “Then for callbacks, they came back and sang a song from the show and read some lines from the show.”

Once the rights to the musical became available, it was a question of which theater would do it. Instead of competing against each other, Pit & Balconies, Bay City Players and the Midland Center for the Arts have all been working together on this project. These three centers have done all of the castings at each theater. The cast is also performing at Bay City Players. 

While working at Saginaw Valley State University, Wedge decided that he needed more of a creative outlet in his life. 

“Once I applied to direct, I got my foot in the door,” Wedge said. “Then one job led to the next and now I am still full time at Saginaw Valley, but I’m also still able to contribute in the community.”

Tickets are for sale on the Midland Center for the Arts website, starting at $25. The show will be in the main auditorium that can sit up to 1,500 people. 

  

The set of “Mamma Mia!”

 

Karly Laskowski in the role of Sophie Sherida acting out a scene during a dress rehearsal for the musical “Mamma, Mia!”

 

Holly Booth in the role of Donna Sheridan acting out a scene during a dress rehearsal for the musical “Mamma, Mia!”

 

From left to right, Chad William Baker in the role of Harry Bright, Karly Laskowski in the role of Sophie Sherida, Bill Adamo in the role of Bill Austin, (center) Paul Yakuber in the role of Sam Carmichael acting out a scene during a dress rehearsal for the musical “Mamma, Mia!”

 

Holly Booth in the role of Donna Sheridan acting out a scene during a dress rehearsal for the musical “Mamma, Mia!”

 

From left to right, Ann Russell-Lutenske in the role of Rosie Mulligan, Holly Booth in the role of Donna Sheridan and Natalie Slawnyk in the role of Tanya Cresham-Leigh, act out a scene during a dress rehearsal for the musical “Mamma, Mia!”

 

From left to right, Natalie Slawnyk in the role of Tanya Cresham-Leigh, Holly Booth in the role of Donna Sheridan, Ann Russell-Lutenske in the role of Rosie Mulligan acting out a scene during a dress rehearsal for the musical “Mamma, Mia!”

 

From left to right, Karly Laskowski in the role of Sophie Sherida and Bill Adamo in the role of Bill Austin acting out a scene during a dress rehearsal for the musical “Mamma, Mia!”

 

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Emily Danielsen

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