Mamma Mia!
at Falls Church High School

Reviewed on May 1, 2022

India Eddy
Albert Einstein High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

"Honey Honey," haven't you heard? Falls Church High School's production of Mamma Mia! will have you saying "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do." The dazzling jukebox musical uses the music of ABBA to follow Sophie, played by Kate Schlageter-Prettyman with a perfect lively and youthful energy, as she prepares for her wedding to fiancé Sky (Colt Armstrong) and tries to track down her unknown father from three possibilities she found in her mom's diary: Sam (Jack Kearney), Bill (Jimmy Benjamin), or Harry (Luis Silva). The unexpected reappearance of her old flames at her taverna in Greece brings back lots of memories for Sophie's mom Donna, who was portrayed by Mariela Palencia with the maturity necessary for the role.

Falls Church's production of Mamma Mia! did a fantastic job exploring and expanding on the comedy of the show and clearly had a lot of fun doing so. The ensemble of the cast brought with them incredibly high energy and contagious joy that spread to the audience in an instant. Moments like a dance performed entirely with flippers and scuba goggles added hilarity to the show and allowed the audience to have fun the way that the actors were. Particularly impressive for their comedic skills were Lucia Ku as Rosie, who had a strong sense of her comedic character and consistently made hilarious acting choices, and Jimmy Benjamin as Bill, whose strong sense of comedic timing added a lot of humor to the show, with the two actors stealing the show with their performance of "Take a Chance on Me." Another standout comedic performer was Liam Patterson as Father Alexandrios/ensemble, who owned the stage even when he did not speak and created a hilarious and fully developed character in the short time he played the officiant of the wedding.

The vocal performances of Falls Church's Mamma Mia! were also impressive. Schlageter-Prettyman's voice was sweet and innocent to match her character, Palencia stunned the audience with the power and control of her voice, creating a performance of "The Winner Takes it All" that was truly breathtaking, and Kearney performed with a skill and maturity that shone on the stage. Lucia Ku and Madison Kenkel (Tanya) both performed their songs with a perfect mix of gorgeous vocals and comedy.

The technical elements of this production were incredibly effective in transforming Falls Church's stage into a small Greek island. The sets (Liam Patterson, Scarlet Emmerson) opened up like a doll's house with other scenery inside for efficient scene changes and brought Donna's taverna to life on stage. The lighting of this show (Jenny Tran, Brian Guiterrez Lujan) made use of color to create the atmosphere, having the stage fall red during a nightmare sequence or pink as characters explored their love, also making use of their ability to blend light colors together to recreate the way the sun painted the sky orange. The lighting team used a moon projection in the sky and a water effect on the pier to transport the audience right to Greece, creating a scene that was both visually appealing and helpful in creating the story. The costumes (Daria Kazemi, Liza Plis, Monty Deitz) of the show also added to the environment and character of the production, most notably the costumes The Dynamos wore as they performed for Sophie's bachelorette party.

Falls Church's production of Mamma Mia! was certainly on the "Money, Money, Money" as they transformed their stage into a Greek island, having evident and contagious fun as they performed their playful and cute rendition of the ABBA musical.

Cecil Turner - Veselka
Loudoun Valley High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

Taste the heat of the sun, feel the turquoise waves lapping at the edge of your little boat, and feel the beat in your chest as Falls Church High School shows you a catchy pop-driven adventure. With twenty-four hours left before her wedding, Sophie greets her three possible fathers, Sam, Bill and Harry. Their presence gives Sophie's mother, Donna, one more anxiety to add to her heap of stresses as she prepares her small taverna for the wedding. Sophie tries to figure out which of the men should walk her down the aisle as she stumbles through celebration shenanigans, while Donna tries (and fails) to ignore her three former flames. Falls Church High School displayed a campy, entertaining flick through the classic Abba-inspired jukebox musical Mamma Mia!

The flamboyant '70s style that comes with the show can be hard to capture, but Mariela Palencia as Donna and Kate Schlageter-Prettyman as Sophie handled it roundly. Palencia's full, vibrant pop style was consistently resonant, and gave her songs a magnetic presence from curtain up to concert. Her solos were strong, and her misty-eyed duets with Schlageter-Prettyman were sweet and tender. Schlageter-Prettyman herself was a joy. Her delicate, soaring vocals and her naive gesturing gave her a childishness that propelled her through her careening story. Her conflicts with her fiancé left lumps in the throat, and her open face let her connect with everyone and everything around her.

Donna's grounded conflict with each of her abandoned lovers was equally charged and awkward. Her rapport with Sam, the most prominent of the bunch, felt familiar and cozy, and Palencia's radiant voice blended extraordinarily well with Jack Kearney's broad, enthusiastic Broadway tone to create a series of delightful numbers. Their chemistry during their final song was earned by a series of affectionate brushes leading up to it, and the understated connection between the two was charming. When on his own, Kearney had a playful style that gave him a distinctly fatherly vibe, and he easily carried his solo numbers with his hands in the pockets of his stiff khakis.

The atmosphere within the production buzzed with the electricity of a concert, aided by the stunning and clever lighting designs and executions by Jenny Tran and her team. The designs held a range of dazzling effects throughout the show, from brightly colored and perfectly timed flashes enhancing the catchy beats of the music to a simple golden spot beam with fog caught in it to project the atmosphere of a dream. The creatively maneuverable set worked together with the crisp, passionate ensemble to add to the immersion of the performance, with sections of the island's buildings and decorations being shifted organically by an ensemble of islanders with a natural movement that made cast and crew indistinguishable. These fluid transitions never let the story leave the island; every person on stage lived and laughed in that taverna every day.

Falls Church's Mamma Mia! felt homey; the snug set was comfortable and the production as a whole portrayed the thematic nostalgia that was integral to both the plot and the music with consistency. Watching the production felt like vacationing to a nearly-forgotten childhood haunt, playing all the old games for an evening, and then setting off into ordinary life again, momentarily enriched. The company's dreamy Greek isle was as joyous to visit as it was to live on, a snapshot in the picture book of a treasured life.

KD Bectel
Alexandria City High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

An architect, banker, and travel writer walk into a Greek wedding. What do they all have in common? They all might be the bride's father.

Falls Church High School gave an admirable performance of cult classic Mamma Mia, doing justice to the beloved songs and comedic story.

Unbeknownst to hardworking taverna owner Donna, her daughter, soon-to-be-married Sophie, has invited Donna's three past lovers, all possibly Sophie's father. Now, in the midst of an extravagant Greek wedding, this family must uncover the truth and heal broken hearts. Mamma Mia is a jukebox musical based on the Swedish pop group ABBA's songs by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, with book by Catherine Johnson. In 2008 Catherine Johnson directed a movie version of the musical, which became one of the highest grossing films of the year.

As Sophie, Kate Schlageter-Prettyman delivered crisp and steady vocals. Her deliberate yet flowing movements and delicate tone portrayed the naive young woman Sophie was with precision. Mariela Palencia, playing Donna Sheridan, was a vocal powerhouse. She brought the house down with songs like "Money, Money, Money" and "The Winner Takes It All."

Sophie's possible fathers delivered charming performances. Jimmy Benjamin and Luis Silva's performances as Bill Austin and Harry right respectively were endearing, never failing to make the audience chuckle at their confusion. Jack Kearney's Sam Carmichael was immaculately corny, expertly portraying the ‘dad vibes' of his character.

Donna's eccentric friends, Rosie (Lucia Ku) and Tanya (Madison Kenkel) are also guests at the wedding. Their relationship with each other and Donna as ‘Donna and the Dynamos' was fantastic. Songs like "Chiquitita" showed their genuine love, while they were wildly entertaining in songs like "Dancing Queen."

The costumes (Daria Kazemi, Liza Plis, and Monty Deitz) were undoubtedly the glue holding the show together. Each character had an array of flowery dresses, beach wear, and street attire that set the scene. More complicated costumes like the Dynamos' spandex, metallic, rockstar outfits were impressive and eye-catching. While the stage was occasionally in shadow, the use of colorful and dynamic lighting enhanced musical numbers. The set (Liam Patterson and Scarlet Emmerson) design was creative, opening up to a bedroom and bar, or turning into a stage, when necessary. The show's running crew were like ninjas, and were barely noticeable as they transitioned between scenes.

The ensemble brought energy to songs like "Lay All Your Love On Me", during which they popped out from the set and paraded around stage in scuba gear, complete with flippers and floaties. In large dance numbers, performers like Dara Kearney and Liam Patterson held the audience's focus with impressive tricks.

The show ended in a spectacular finale where the entire cast performed ABBA favorites like "Waterloo" and got the whole audience up on their feet, singing along. The Finale combined the best parts of the show; high energy, flashy costumes, and good vocals in a passionate performance and fitting conclusion .

Kylie Miller
Rock Ridge High School
Submitted for publication to Patch (Fairfax/Alexandria)

Sunday afternoon and the lights are low…but only for a moment. Before you know it, you're having the time of your life, unable to stop dancing in your seat. The music starts and the lights rise on the picturesque Greek setting constructed on the Falls Church High School stage. You feel the energy in the room intensify as the iconic songs we all know and love take over.

In Falls Church High School's production of Mamma Mia!, we see the fun-loving tale of young Sophie, engaged to be married, taking on the challenge of finding herself before she officially ties the knot. Raised by her single mother Donna, Sophie grows up never knowing who her true father is. So, after reading her mother's diary, she invites all three of her possible fathers to the island for the big day. The only catch is that her mother cannot find out, and Sophie has to figure out which one is really her father in time for him to walk her down the aisle and give her away. The story follows their journey as this mother daughter duo takes on the challenges of life, love, and laughter in the face of adversity.

The jukebox musical Mamma Mia!, written by Catherine Johnson in 1999, features the music of the awe-inspiring band ABBA. Its catchy songs brought Mamma Mia! to be the longest running jukebox musical in Broadway history, winning two Tony awards, and performing over 5,000 shows. However, in 2008 the musical was adapted into perhaps an even more popular movie, instantly becoming a hit in theaters and loved by generations, eventually earning itself a sequel a decade later.

The directors of this production made a brave choice when casting freshmen as two of the leading characters, Sophie Sheridan and Sky Rymand. However, that decision had a huge pay off in the authenticity of both Kate Schlageter-Prettyman's and Colt Armstrong's performance as they portrayed two characters young and in love with their whole futures ahead of them. Additionally, Mariela Palencia, playing the role of Donna, gave a show-stopping performance with vocals that were exceptional. Finally, in the role of Sam Carmichael, Jack Kearney brought the audience's emotions out with his genuine tone and phenomenal vocal range.

While the acting in this production was unforgettable, the technical design and production were just as impressive. As soon as the lights lowered and the overture began, Jenny Tran brought an electric picture to the stage with her rhythmically timed lighting design, engaging the audience in story before an actor even graced the stage. This worked brilliantly with the special effects design by Owen Wentzel. Their use of haze truly elevated the effect of the lighting on the stage. Additionally, the costumes in this production by Liza Plis and Daria Kazemi provided the cast with a cohesive feel of the Greek island life we all wish we had. Whether it was Donna and the Dynamos 70's disco inspired outfits, or the flipper-wearing SCUBA ensemble, the costumes never missed a beat.

Falls Church High School's production of Mamma Mia! created an entire audience of Dancing Queens. This comedic and touching story showed the importance and impact of love in its many unique forms. Fall Church's experienced performance left the audience wanting more as they tried to capture every minute.

Claire Centola
James Madison High School
Submitted for publication to Falls Church News Press

"When All is Said and Done," Falls Church High School's production of Mamma Mia! is a sea-side show stopper!

Set on a quaint island in Greece, the show centers on mother and daughter duo Donna and Sophie in the midst of preparing for Sophie's wedding. Unbeknownst to Donna, Sophie sent invitations to all three of her possible fathers, ensuing chaos and sparking old flames. From love ballads to dance tunes, this classic jukebox musical incorporates some of ABBA's most iconic songs, creating a triple threat spectacle.

Carrying out the majority of the vocals needed for these was Kate Schlageter-Prettyman as Sophie. With a smooth, sweet tone and charming acting, she embodied the youthful spirit and joy needed for this character. Counteracting her naivety was Mariela Palencia in the role of Donna, with powerhouse energy throughout the entire production. This duo's stage presence and chemistry was impeccable, with standout scenes such as "Slipping Through My Fingers" that were deeply emotional and yet still grounded and pure. Additionally, Palencia's pairing with Jack Kearney as Sam in "S.O.S." delivered one of the most potent songs, heavy with harmony and angst.

Other outstanding numbers of the show were "Voulez-Vous" and "Waterloo." These two ensemble and dance-heavy features were high energy and infectious. With palpable joy, and audience interaction for the latter piece, they added tremendously to the exciting environment.

Also enhancing the environment were the technical aspects, notably the costumes and lighting. From bohemian casual wear to the standout "Dynamos" outfits, Daria Kazemi, Liza Plis, and Monty Deitz outdid themselves and created a world through clothing. Complementing this color scheme was the lighting done by Jenny Tran, and Brian Guiterrez Lujan. The color palette followed the emotional journey of the show and quite literally, spotlighted the stars, transporting the show to another level.

As beautiful as the islands of Greece, Falls Church High School's Mamma Mia! was one for the ages!

Diana Altenhof
Stone Bridge High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

S.O.S.! Tonight is Slipping Through My Fingers and it keeps getting worse! You may not be stuck on an island, but you may get stuck on Falls Church High School's production of Mamma Mia!

Since opening in 1999, Mamma Mia! has garnered massive success as both an international stage production and popular film adaptation. The story follows Sophie Sheridan on her quest to find her unknown father before her spectacular Greek wedding. One tiny island can barely contain three parental contenders when the mother of the bride, the super-single Donna, runs the show. As secrets fly and new bonds form, music from pop sensation ABBA acts as the heart of the score.

As Sophie, Kate Schlageter-Prettyman's carefree, youthful demeanor paired well with her energetic vocals. Bound to the wonder of young love, she and Colt Armstrong's Sky, husband-to-be, Layed All Their Love into their animated dynamic and duet moments. Mariela Palencia's Donna earnestly owned the mother's sentimentality and boldness with contrasts between moments of hesitating to understand Sophie's independence while embracing her own.

The island was truly alive with the ensemble's dedication and zestful energy. Throughout the entire production, island residents of all jobs and niches made themselves into a family, constantly interacting with others and appearing as lifelong friends. As disco balls descended from the sky and the lights went low, performers lived their summer fantasy. They dove into enthusiasm and lightheartedness in their many dance numbers, never being afraid to go all in with high knees in scuba suits, or popping out of tavern windows and platforms. From Liam Patterson's exasperated priest to Adli Nashashibi's flirtatious hotel worker, each islander gave their all.

Lighting design from Jenny Tran and Brian Guiterrez Lujan warmed the summer air and gleamed on the Greek water. Each cue and color shift purposefully imbued different emotions into scenes; blue acted for energetic nights and calm jetties, purple for wisdom and misty memories, and pink for affection and femininity. Name a theme -- it's got a swatch! Similarly, Daria Kazemi's costuming team used specific palettes to evoke the brightness of the setting and atmosphere. The team collaborated with the performers to ensure each of their many outfits would convey their personalities.

Here we go again! Falls Church High School's Mamma Mia! tackles the hilarity and confusion of romance and life. To the zaniness and love, Thank You For The Music.

Abby Wyland
South Lakes High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

How far would you go to find your true self? This question, along with many others about love, motherhood, and matrimony were discovered in Falls Church High School's production of Mamma Mia!

Mamma Mia! is a jukebox musical written by Catherine Johnson with music by the band ABBA. The show premiered on the West End in 1999 and by 2001 had a tour and Broadway show in the United States. In 2008, the motion picture with the same title had a successful release that garnered more attention for the musical. In recent years, the show has had more tours throughout the UK and North America, as well as a sequel to the first movie, titled ‘Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again,' which was released in 2018.

The story of Mamma Mia! began on a small Greek island. It followed single-mother Donna Sheridan and her 20-year-old daughter, Sophie, who was about to get married to her fiancé, Sky. However, Sophie still had one small detail to work out: who would walk her down the aisle? In an effort to discover who her father was, and therefore find out more about her identity, Sophie snooped through her mother's diary to identify the three possible fathers. Then, without her mother's knowledge, Sophie invited all three to her wedding. Trouble ensued when Donna was met with her long-lost lovers as they uncovered the real reason they were brought to the island. Would Donna be able to face her past when her daughter's future is at stake, and could Sophie figure out who was her true father before the wedding day?

The role of Sophie, taken on by freshman Kate Schlageter-Prettyman, brought an air of innocence and wonder to the stage. Schlateger-Prettyman's sweet voice, coupled with her intoxicating enthusiasm, complemented Sophie's character as the daughter and young bride. Colt Armstrong, who played Sky, performed with a similar energy. The two actors made a charming couple that captured the essence of young love.

An impressive feat was made by Mariela Palencia through the role of Donna Sheridan, where she was faced with one demanding song after another. Palencia handled these songs with grace and the power of a smooth, striking voice.

The strong presence and vocals of Jack Kearney added to the character Sam Carmichael as the sometimes foolish, but well-meaning lover. Kearney's portrayal of Sam highlighted the emotional ties associated with Mamma Mia!'s themes of family and love.

A technical aspect that exceeded expectations was the lighting work of Jenny Tran and operators Noor Ashoor, Chase Carmody, Migual Montes-Portillo and Brian Guiterrez Lujan. Their brilliant work with colors and cues brought the vivid and breezy atmosphere of Greece and summer to life onstage. Additionally, the special effects carried out by Owen Wentzel such as the water ripple reflection enthralled the audience into the set and story.

In a few words, Falls Church High School's Mamma Mia! supplied a refreshing pleasantry to an iconic story and score with delightful vocals and dazzling technical expertise.