Mamma Mia!, a musical featuring hits from the Swedish musical group ABBA, hit the Windermere Preparatory School, Cypress Center stage April 10th, 11th, and 12th, 2025. This production of Mamma Mia! was said to be more than just a high school show, and after witnessing it, I more than agree.
The production was a major step forward for the Windermere Preparatory High School Theatre Department, and here’s why. Mamma Mia! was the first production at the Dr. Thomas L. Marcy Theatre in which a two-level set was used, as was a dock. In addition to this, it was the first time the entire set was created, designed, and painted by students. Senior Zara Lwin, designed the whole set and even made a diorama of her ideas before they began set building.
Senior, Maria Franck Braga, was the stage manager for Mamma Mia!. This means she was in charge of sound, lighting cues, scenic change cues, and so much more. Throughout the conversation with Maria, she said that she was “especially grateful to Dr. Salerno for allowing us to build a fixed set, which gave us more freedom to create a detailed and immersive space.” She had also shared with me the entire process of creating Mamma Mia! lasted from December through April, including a group of dedicated student volunteers who spent two full days during Spring Break just painting the set.
On Saturday, April 12th, at the end of the show, the tradition known as “Senior Recognition” took place. Every senior in the cast and crew received flowers and was introduced by Mrs. Fadoul or Mr.Prowse, and was then instructed to take their final bow.
Ketty Acuña, Maria Luiza Beccari, Keira Beggrow, Noor Nawaz, and Caroline Schools were all part of the ensemble for Mamma Mia!. Daniel Goebel Guzmán was cast as Sam, and Dominic Tarantino was cast as Sky. Nicolas Humphrey was a member of the deck crew. Zara Lwin also was on the deck crew as well as served as the scenic designer. Hidaya Bakeer was on the sound crew. Maria Franck Braga was the stage manager. All seniors did an amazing job with Mamma Mia!, and the Windermere Preparatory High School theatre department has some big shoes to fill.
Congratulations to everyone involved in the Windermere Preparatory High School production of Mamma Mia! I cannot wait to see what they create next year!