This spring, the Strath Haven Theater Department will perform the fan-favorite musical “Mamma Mia!” a jukebox composed of hits by the 70s band ABBA.
Auditions for the show were held on November 18 and 19, with callbacks on November 20. About 55 students auditioned on either of the two initial days. Music director Mrs. Lindsey Reinhard Silva was one of the multiple staff members present those days.
“I could kind of sense during the auditions that it was just going to be a really fun new relationship with the students,” Silva said. “It’s different from anything we do during the day, so it’s like building on our interpersonal relationships in new ways.”
Silva will be directing music for the show alongside director and choreographer Mandie Banks. Banks has choreographed nine years worth of Strath Haven musicals before taking over as director this year.
“It’s exciting, definitely a lot of work. I’ve been spending a lot of time this week preparing for every single thing I can think of,” Banks said.
One of Banks’ goals in this show is collaborating with the actors and other students involved.
“I think Mandie is really good at making actors the best versions of themselves. She makes you feel really confident and not intimidated,” junior Sonya Blum said. “I have loved her directing decisions in years past, so I’m really excited to see what she’s going to do with this show.”
Blum will play Sophie Sheridan, one of the show’s most important roles. She is also co-dance captain alongside sophomore Leah Reece.
“I was really excited to receive the role, and a little surprised too, but mostly super excited,” Blum said.
This year’s spring musical is under some new leadership after the retirement of former director Mr. John Shankweiler at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. Silva, new to the Strath Haven music department, worked with Shankweiler for months when transitioning into her position.
“He’s someone who’s really a special human,” Silva said. “But I think it’s really important that even with the musical [and] with choirs, I look at it all as an opportunity for me to jump in as myself and not try to fill his shoes just because he’s a different person than I am.”
Banks worked alongside Shankweiler for her previous time at Strath Haven, and she witnessed his work firsthand.
“I’m very lucky that I was here for all those years to see how he worked,” Banks said. “I wouldn’t say I am changing things, but maybe adding some things or doing things a little bit different in terms of the way that I like to organize things.”
“Mamma Mia!” is a show that is well-known to many members of the community. A comedic yet charming story about a girl and her mother, it has reached a wide audience.
“It’s kind of an unusual story, but I think people can get into the plot very easily. It’s not hard to follow. And it’s this great story between a mom and a daughter and their dreams and aspirations,” Banks said.
Mamma Mia will run during the weekends of February 28-March 2 and March 7-March 9. Based on the success of previous shows, it is expected to be nothing short of a hit.
“It’s always been a special show to me, and I can’t wait to bring that music to people that I care about,” Silva said.
