Mamma Mia!
at Clarksburg High School

Reviewed on March 26, 2022

Beverly D'Andrea
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

A hint of a sea breeze seemed actually to waft from Clarksburg High School's sun-soaked stage and set the scene for all the rapacious fun that friendship, flirtation, and ABBA hits can generate. However, the cast and crew of Mamma Mia! did more than bop along to Dancing Queen, they took us below the veneer of seaside bliss, showing real people struggling with the hardest emotion of all: love.

The show follows lovely Sophie Sheridan as she prepares for her wedding along with her mother, Donna. But when Sophie secretly invites her three possible dads to the wedding Donna is forced to reconcile with her past and Sophie must make a choice.

The show is a jukebox musical featuring Swedish band ABBA's music by writers Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, with book by Catherine Johnson. It first opened at the Prince Edward Theater on the West End in London and has since garnered great fame, with a movie adaption and sequel.

In the role of determined, soft-hearted Donna was the talented Jeanne Lubika. Lubika immediately grasped audience attention with her magnetic, powerful vocals in songs like "Mamma Mia" and "Winner Takes it All", but it was Lubika's intimate understanding of her character that held audience attention all show long. Lubika played Donna fearlessly and with great versatility, unafraid to turn Dancing Queen into a realistically humorous moment of friendship with bold physical choices and also able to convey motherly affection through the simple, small motions and haunting vocals in "Slipping Through My Fingers". Supporting Lubika as Donna's best friends were Olivia May as Tanya and Ishika Naik as Rosie. The two played off each other with the practiced jocularity of old pals, while still maintaining their characters' individuality. May's Tanya was as sassy and haughty as she should be, culminating in an impish rendition of "Does your Mother Know" with May showing off her lovely voice and teasing physicality with Pepper (Nikhil Naik). Ishika Naik was a riot every second she was on stage. Utilizing more physical humor than Tanya, her Rosie was always unapologetically quirky and loud which Naik seemed to relish, especially in her hysterical song "Take a Chance" with Bill (Dilan Pais). Naik hammed it up through suggestive and well-calculated physicality and strong vocals, as she danced Bill to exhaustion.

As bride-to-be Sophie was Isabella Cabrera. Cabrera's clear, sweet voice showed her innocent nature in songs like "Name of the Game" and "Under Attack". Cabrera's sweet connection with fiancé Sky (Josie Escario) was apparent in "Lay All Your Love on Me" with their tender embraces and flirty movement. Cabrera's well-played descent into panic during the manic "Voulez-Vous" demonstrated her distress through the choreography.

Transporting the audience to sunny Greece was achieved to great effect through the impressive technical elements. The sets, by Rachel Mayo, Lillian Dejesus, Ether Peterson, and Maddie McClure, were gorgeously detailed (replete with flower boxes and stone patterns) and were on turntables to better create the interior of the taverna. The stunning costumes, by Riya Shah, Debika Biswas, and Danielle Smith, fit the show as they were summery and colorful, and the Dynamos performance costumes were excitingly 70s. The stage management (Nolan Brennan) and run crew (Lillian Dejesus, Esther Peterson, and Maddie McClure) skillfully executed their transitions, bringing on the bed multiple times perfectly unobtrusively.

Clarksburg High School put on a production of Mamma Mia that was pure fun start to finish, with a lot of heart thrown in. The winner does take it all, and to win one only has to find love.

Tess Jannery-Barney
Langley High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

One daughter. One mother. One wedding. Three fathers? Clarksburg High School celebrated this wacky wedding and a boatload more in their sunny, seaside production of Mamma Mia! Part hilarious friendships, family complications, and cheeky flirtation, the heart of Mamma Mia! explores themes of finding joy in the past and present.

Inspired by the music of ABBA, Mamma Mia! is a jukebox Broadway musical, set in a bohemian Greek village and hotel run by a youthful matriarch, Donna Sheridan. Mamma Mia! centers around the bonds of motherhood and paternity, as Donna prepares for her daughter, Sophie's white wedding to fiancé Sky. But when Sophie invites Sam, Bill, and Harry–her three suspected fathers–to the wedding, Donna is forced to rehash old romances, rely on her friends Tanya and Rosie, and keep her family together.

Jeanne Lubika brought a vibrant energy to the stage as Donna, with beautiful, strong vocals in songs such as "The Winner Takes It All," providing an emotionally vulnerable and mature performance. Lubika was an excellent solo performer, as well as an ensemble member, handling comedic situations and group numbers. The Dynamos, Tanya (Olivia May), Rosie (Ishika Naik), and Donna (Jeanne Lubika), had excellent chemistry with one another, harmonizing and finding joy with one another in the encouraging "Dancing Queen." Additionally, May and Naik as Tanya and Rosie were hilarious foils of one another, both as best friends onstage and in their numbers. Naik played into the physical comedy of Rosie in "Take a Chance on Me," where Naik flung herself into the arms of Bill (Dilan Pais); and May smartly sassed into the role of casual comedienne, Tanya, flirting with Pepper (Nikhil Naik) in "Does Your Mother Know." Additionally, the endearing potential father Harry, (Brandon Miller) and sweet bride-to-be, Sophie (Isabella Cabrera) shared individual warmth and kindness on stage, each with their soft voices and fluid singing. Cabrera found contrast, displaying a light, angelic voice in Act 1, then later pop belt vocals in "Under Attack."

In the sensitive "Slipping Through My Fingers," the set (by Rachel Mayo, Lillian Dejesus, Esther Peterson, Maddie McClure) turned on its axis in the center of the stage, revealing a group of bridesmaids primping themselves for the wedding. This set design furthered "Slipping Through My Fingers," allowing for parallel storytelling between mother and daughter as well as the wedding party. Additionally, the stage crew (Lillian Dejesus, Esther Peterson, Maddie McClure) ran swift scene changes, such as in the transition from the outdoor villa into a bohemian bedroom during Act 1, successfully changing multiple set pieces in a matter of seconds without notice.

Clarksburg High School's performance of Mamma Mia! roped the audience into the summer joy of Greece and the story of a not-so-simple family. Each song and scene were captivating with fun and stinging with humor, the distinct characters shining through as an ensemble. From offstage to onstage, the technical crew found an ocean of fluidity, letting the audience sit back, relax, and watch the details of the seaside show. With a sarcastic story, funny fathers and friends, and a summertime lightheartedness, Clarksburg High School encouraged the audience to dance, jive, and have the time of their life.

Spoorthi Nadkarni
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Patch (Montgomery County)

"Honey, Honey," Clarksburg High School's vibrant rendition of Mamma Mia! was definitely on the "Money Money Money" and delivered a unique retelling of this iconic story of sun, sea, sex, and scandal. With harmonies sweeter than Santorini honey, and dance moves sharper than the Skaros Rocks, all the audience members were "having the time of their lives."

Mamma Mia!, written by Catherine Johnson, features a soundtrack filled with songs from the sensational Swedish Pop group ABBA's discography (composed by Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson). The story takes place on a small Greek island during the late 90's and follows Sophie Sheridan and her hardworking hotelier mother, Donna Sheridan. Right before her wedding, Sophie's plan to find her father brings back three men from her mother's past and starts a domino effect that forces Donna to relive her memories and chaos ensues. Mamma Mia! debuted at the West End on April 6, 1999, and was adapted into a movie in 2008.

The ensemble, though small, were mighty and put their whole hearts into the choreography and music. They were in sync both energetically and rhythmically, which was especially evident in numbers like the fast-paced "Voulez-Vous" and "Gimme Gimme Gimme."

Jeanne Lubika (Donna Sheridan) enraptured the audience with her powerful, goosebump-inducing vocals and skillful acting. Lubika took the role above and beyond, fully immersing into the dynamic arc of her character and creating incredible chemistry with her fellow castmates. Ishika Naik, who played Rosie, sent the audience into fits of laughter with an exaggerated physicality as fluid and vibrant as the water of the Aegean Sea and her sweet, strong tone. Naik's performance also complemented Olivia May's portrayal of Tanya, with May's more controlled acting choices and delightfully raspy singing voice.

Brandon Miller, who played Harry, charmed the audience with his smooth tenor voice and delicate acting and accent choices. This was in direct opposition to Eddie (Cam Agosto) and Pepper (Nikhil Naik), who were the hot comedic duo of the night, running off each other's ridiculous "bro-like" energy throughout their scenes. Josie Escario's version of Sky added a laid back, boyish charm helped foster that whimsical sense of young love between Sky and Sophie, especially present in numbers like "Lay All Your Love on Me."

The technical aspects of this show helped to further transport the audience to the glimmering fictional island of Kalokairi with the rotating sets (Rachel Mayo, Lillian Dejesus, Esther Peterson, Maddie McClure) that were extravagant and realistic, proving that the crew were "masters of the scene" in combination with the unique lighting choices to make an interesting take on scenery (Anthony Sanchez and Tobi Oyeneyin). The stage crew, composed of Lillian Dejesus, Esther Peterson, and Maddie McClure, were barely noticeable and executed seamless set changes. The costumes, done by Riya Shah, Debika Biswas, and Danielle Smith, were very reflective of each character, from Sophie's youthful blouses and dresses to Sam and Tanya's mature suits, Rosie's island flair, and more.

"So I say thank you for the music" for Clarksburg High School's vivacious version of Mamma Mia! and for taking the audience on a nostalgic Greek adventure where everyone ended up "smiling, having fun, and feeling like a number one."

Emma Harris
Herndon High School
Submitted for publication to Maryland Theater Guide

Dazzling costumes, heartfelt characters, stunning choreography, and the timeless songs of pop sensation, ABBA all came together on the Clarksburg High School stage for their production of Mamma Mia.

Originally premiering on the West End in 1999, the jukebox musical Mamma Mia, featuring the catchy and unforgettable music of the Swedish pop group ABBA, became an instant classic in the world of theatre. Producing and performing the show was no easy task, but the Clarksburg cast and crew completed the daunting task with ease.

The production was filled with jaw-dropping performances, especially senior Jeanne Lubika, who played Donna. Lubika performed with professional quality, gracing the stage with a hypnotizing voice, profound acting abilities, and incredible dancing. The heartbreaking and climactic ballad, The Winner Takes it All is often regarded for its intense emotional state, and difficulty, but Lubika rose above and beyond, leaving the audience cheering and hollering. Lubika left the audience amazed with her astonishing performance. Other standout performances came from Ishika Naik, playing Rosie, and Brandon Miller as Harry. Naik convincingly portrayed an eccentric middle-aged woman through her physicality and wonderful comedic timing. Naik had the entire audience laughing, especially during the act two song, Take a Chance On Me, in which she is desperately and hilariously pursuing a man. Miller portrayed Harry with a gentle and kind demeanor, showing the audience the more vulnerable and emotional side of his character.

The show would be nothing without its incredible ensemble. The ensemble had no easy task of performing backup vocals to almost every song and performing spectacular choreography simultaneously. The ensemble was able to bring vivacious and contagious energy for every number and left the audience wanting more. One member of the ensemble, Sierra Flowers, was notably always dancing with flawless elegance and finesse.

The set for the production featured traditional Greek cobblestone buildings, a set of stairs, and an incredibly creative rotating platform that was used to reveal Sophie's bedroom in act two. The set team, Rachel Mayo, Lillian Dejesus, Esther Peterson, and Maddie McClure worked tirelessly on the set, and their efforts did not go unnoticed. The clever and visually appealing set helped the audience become truly immersed in the world of the show.

Mamma Mia at Clarksburg High School was filled with fun, laughter, amazement, and heart. The cast and crew truly made every member of the audience feel like the dancing queen.