Mamma Mia is the newest production at the Shane Center

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The Shane Center is putting on a production of the musical “Mamma Mia,” based on the songs from ABBA, throughout the month of March. Opening night was on March 1 from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

“Mamma Mia” was chosen to be performed because it has been a popular production recently, especially with last year’s release of the movie sequel, “Mamma Mia 2: Here We Go Again.” The production is currently no longer on Broadway, so they were able to get the legal rights.

Preparation for the performance began on Jan. 21. Rehearsals occur almost every day from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Park High junior Malea Coleman said, “We have been preparing since about January, starting with learning all the music for two weeks and blocking all the scenes in the weeks leading up to opening night.” On February 24, they ran through the entire performance during a nine-hour practice.

Park High students Jonathan Noble, Clara Jones, Malea Coleman, Chase Petrulis, Annika Coleman, Sidney Denniston, Stella Davis, Brianna Pittman, Elizabeth Hewey, Kate Reid, Kenyon Jones, and Gabe Nohl are involved in “Mamma Mia.” They are part of the ensemble by playing either guests or islanders in the production.

The final night to view the production is March 24.

The next upcoming production at the Shane Center will be “Beauty and the Beast” and will be performed solely by Park High students.