SJS News

The Saint James Mummers’ Society transported audiences to a sun-soaked Greek island with its vibrant production of Mamma Mia, delivering three sellout performances in Kellam Auditorium on February 19-21. Under the direction of Melanie Regan ’00, Director of Fine and Performing Arts, the show combined infectious music, dynamic choreography, and heartfelt storytelling into a truly memorable show.

Featuring the timeless songs of ABBA, Mamma Mia tells the story of Sophie Sheridan (Ariana Daly ’27), a young woman preparing for her wedding while secretly searching for her father’s identity. After discovering her mother Donna’s (Murray Brauner ’26) old diary, Sophie invites three men from Donna’s past—Sam (Jack Regan ’27), Bill (Aditya Gupta ’27), and Harry (Llewelyn Lehman ’28)—to the island, hoping to uncover the truth before her big day. 

The stage was alive with energy, particularly in ensemble-driven numbers like 'Money, Money, Money,' where choreographer Nicole Ruark incorporated the entire cast into a dynamic sequence. 

At the heart of the production was a series of standout performances from student actors, many of whom were new to musical theater. Murray Brauner delivered a powerful portrayal of Donna, and her performance of 'The Winner Takes It All' was a defining moment of the show. 

“My favorite song to perform was ‘Winner Takes It All,’” Murray said. “And my favorite memory was closing night when I looked out into the audience and saw everyone dancing and singing to ‘Waterloo’!” 

Ariana Daly brought warmth and authenticity to the role of Sophie. Reflecting on her experience, she shared both the joys and challenges of the role.
“My favorite song that I sang was ‘Lay All Your Love On Me’ because I got to let loose with my voice and just let the sound fly,” she said. ‘The most challenging was ‘I Have A Dream’ because there's not much underscoring, so I have to be the one to provide the energy for the audience.”

Also memorable were the performances of Donna’s lifelong friends, Tanya (Fatou Camara ’26) and Rosie (Gabrielle Christian ’27), whose comedic timing and stage presence brought levity and charm. Gabby’s performance of ‘Does Your Mother Know’ stood out as a crowd favorite. 

Jack Regan, Aditya Gupta, and Llewelyn Lehman were relatively new to musical theater, and they all stepped up to the challenge by transforming into an entertaining trio.

Jack reflected on the depth of his role as Sam: “What I enjoyed most about playing Sam was learning how to act as a much older person who had a lot of hidden, emotional baggage that he was hiding for 21 years.” 

The ensemble as a whole demonstrated a commitment to growth and excellence throughout the rehearsal process. Musical director Joseph Regan noted that students improved steadily each day, culminating in a final performance that was the strongest of the run. 

Technical elements also elevated the production, particularly in the visually striking 'Under Attack' dream sequence. Innovative lighting design transformed the stage into a surreal landscape, showcasing the creativity and collaboration of the student tech crew.

The production of Mamma Mia embodied the spirit of Saint James: students challenging themselves, supporting one another, and rising to new heights. Bravo to the entire cast and crew!

View the photo gallery.