As Lancaster Community Players (LCP) continues to celebrate 40 years of live, local theater, we proudly present the Broadway smash Mamma Mia! on the Grantland Theatre stage April 25-28, our largest production in 10 years!
This musical is based on more than 20 top hits by 1970s pop phenomenon ABBA and the well-known movie version and sequel that followed. On the Greek island of Kalokairi, 20-year-old Sophie is preparing to marry her fiancé, Sky. She wants her father to walk her down the aisle but doesn’t know who he is. Sophie discovers her mother’s old diary and finds entries describing intimate dates with three men. Sophie believes one of these men is her father and, three months before her nuptials, sends each an invitation to her wedding, writing in her mother’s name, Donna, without her mother’s knowledge.
Directors Bill Haskins and Doug Mackie have assembled some of the finest talent from the area. Playing Sophie will be Lancaster native Lizzy Wagner in her first show with LCP. The three unknowing dads include established LCP actors Joel Ingebritsen as Sam, Shawn Steinhoff as Bill, and Kurt Meyer as Harry. Donna, LCP newcomer Amelia Armstrong, will be supported by the talents of Margaret Ruf as Tanya and Marcy Russell as Rosie, also LCP veterans. In his first stint on the Grantland stage is Savion Kirk as fiance Sky. Rounding out the wedding party are returning performers Brandi Dreher as Ali and Liz Peters as Lisa, joined by Brady Hattori as Eddie and Steve Olenchek as Pepper in their initial appearance with LCP. Bill Mahaney returns to the Grantland stage in the role of the priest.
Haskins and Mackie have a history of bringing new talent to the stage. This show is no different from their LCP productions of Godspell, Ruthless and The Producers. The Mamma Mia! cast of 26 includes 15 new actors! Returning actors include Lisa Swanson, Kim Martens, and Gretta McKelvey as ensemble members. Ensemble members in their first LCP show are Deborah Lyons, Michael Black, Keri Wetter, and Amy Alcott, as well as Sally Harper, Emily Dhyanchand, Sydney Busch, Ian McCann, and mother and daughter Bev and Mariah Doll.
Mamma Mia! has a wealth of talent off stage as well. Mackie is the lead choreographer, with Dreher designing two numbers. We are proud to welcome back Larry Busch as musical director, along with a seven-piece band. Todd Johnson’s scenic set design and Cheryl Schmeider’s costuming will transport the audience to an exotic island paradise. And, we’ll be showcasing our new lighting system.
Help us celebrate 40 years of live theatre in Lancaster! Contact Angela Walter for tickets at 608-778-7726. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 25, 26 and 27, and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, April 28. Reserved seating is $15 and balcony seating is $12. Please allow extra time before the show to find parking as downtown Lancaster streets are under construction.
Mamma Mia! is presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International and is sponsored by Doolittle’s Pub and Catering, Lancaster Vet Clinic, American Bank, and Lancaster Chiropractic & Bloomington Wellness Center along with Inner Harmony Therapeutic Arts and Bodywork.