4-04-2024 9:48pm

Franklin High School Drama Club to present Mamma Mia!

Beth Callahan Editor

Franklin High School Drama Club members practicing for upcoming production of Mamma Mia!

Story and Photo Furnished by Franklin City School District Communications Consultant Peggy Darragh-Jeromos

FRANKLIN, OH -- A mother... A daughter...Three possible dads... And, a trip down the aisle you'll never forget as Franklin High School Drama Club presents Mamma Mia!

Director Jeff Sams is excited to present the show. “The recent films and national tour prove that the story and music are valuable to audiences. A generation who grew up with ABBA's music are excited about it and a younger generation is discovering and celebrating their music. It seemed like an appropriate time to do the show,” said Sam who noted that Franklin’s one of seven area schools to do it within the last year, an indicator of its current popularity.

The core of a musical is, of course, the music. The audience will hear a huge selection of ABBA’s hits including “Super Trooper,” “Take a Chance on Me,” “Dancing Queen,” “Waterloo,” and many more. Sams said since the music’s fun to sing, it makes things smoother for student vocalists, but a little more problematic for the orchestra. Two piano players and a guitar player have been hired to cover instruments that students aren’t playing.

He also noted that Mamma Mia! is the most dance-heavy show the school has done recently. “Singing and dancing pop music has been fun, but is a lot of work. I think the students get a workout every day,” he added.

Sams praised his cast, saying they are “perfect” for their parts and that a strong set of upperclassmen are grounding the leading roles.

Senior Aullie Allen is designing the lighting and sound for the show completely on her own. Sams called Allen a “gifted designer” and added, “Designing lights for a full show is a challenge for any student, let alone for a musical where color and spotlights are thrown into the mix; we are grateful for her work on this show.”

Additional production staff include Adee McFarland (assistant director); Lucinda Bires (music director); Maddie Wagner (choreographer); and Josh Long (orchestra).

Sams said the ‘24-‘25 season will kick off in October with The Play That Goes Wrong, which was very popular on Broadway. (Get ready for mayhem!) December’s production will be a new and inventive version of A Christmas Carol, and the season will wrap up in April with the wildly popular Mean Girls.

“We are losing a large group of seniors, especially boys. So, our decision to do Mean Girls next spring was based on choosing a show that was driven by female performers. We will miss this group of seniors. They have seen a LOT of change in our program over their four years and have contributed to some of the finest theatre our school has ever seen,” added Sams.

Franklin High School Drama Club will present Mamma Mia! in the McDade Auditorium, 750 E. 4th St., Franklin on:

Friday April 19 at 7PM
Saturday April 20 at 7PM, and
Sunday April 21 at 2PM

Tickets are available online at https://fhsdrama.booktix.net/. They'll also be available at the door, but you may encounter long lines.

Adults $10
Senior $8
Students $5

MAMMA MIA! is presented through special arrangement with Music Theater International. All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com. Music and Lyrics by Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus and some songs with Stig Anderson..