Ten Questions With...Chloe Tucker of "Mamma Mia!"

The uplifting music of the Swedish band ABBA – best known for hits such as “Dancing Queen”, “Winner Takes it All” and “Waterloo” – has been immortalized in Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’ smash hit musical “Mamma Mia!.”

The production, which is in its 10^th year at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theater in New York City, has been seen by almost 50 million people worldwide.

Tampa residents will have the opportunity to “dance”, “jive” and have the time of their lives, when the exhilarating, funny tale of love, laughter, family and friendship comes to the Straz Center for six days, from July 12-17. 

Set in a Mediterranean paradise, “Mamma Mia!” follows a single mother and small hotel owner, Donna Sheridan and her spunky daughter, Sophie. On the eve of her wedding, Sophie is on a mission to discover the identity of her father, and a trio of men from her mother’s past show up for her big day. A film version was released in 2008 and starred Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried as the mother-daughter duo. 

21-year-old Chloe Tucker has performed the role of “Sophie” in the North American tour since August 2010. An “early bloomer”, this triple threat recalls watching “Funny Girl” and “Gypsy” over and over when since she was three or four years old. Soon thereafter, her mother enrolled her in a summer theater program called Children’s Civic Light Opera (CCLO) and she hasn’t looked back since.

A graduate of the Hamilton Academy School of Music in her hometown, Los Angeles, Tucker continued at The Boston Conservatory for a semester before taking a couple of years off to map out a plan. During that time, she struggled with depression and missed multiple auditions as a result. 

One day, after mustering up the physical and mental strength to get out of bed, Tucker attended an open casting call in Los Angeles. She returned the next day and in hopes of landing the role of either “Ali” and “Lisa” (Sophie’s friends). Casting Director Eric Woodall then asked Tucker to read scenes and sing songs for the coveted lead role of Sophie, which she was offered three weeks later.

Patch spoke to the vivacious, talented performer, who confesses that she still gets butterflies in her stomach before each performance, as she gears up for her very first trip to the Bay area.

Patch:  What is your very first passion – acting, singing or dancing?

Chloe:  I started as a dancing when I was very young and then we discovered that I could sing too. I’ve really started to love acting over the last few years, so right now, that’s my favorite since it seems so fresh. But honestly, that answer changes from day to day!

Patch:  Who is the performer in your family? Who did you inherit these talented genes from? 

Chloe:  I think it came from my maternal grandmother; she always wanted to be an actress, although she didn’t end up following that path. So, I guess I’m living the dream for both of us. My mom says she can sing…but she really can’t!

Patch:  Who or what inspires you? 

Chloe:  A big inspiration is Kaye Tuckerman, who plays my mom (“Donna Sheridan”). I would have to say that she is the most beautiful person in my life, on the stage and off. Because of her, I often think of how lucky and fortunate I am. Kaye is both an inspiration and role model. 

Patch:  During the tour, what has been your favorite city thus far? 

Chloe:  Alaska was just amazing. It was so different from everything I’ve ever experienced, and the food was absolutely delicious. Being from Los Angeles, I also appreciated the little towns because it is such a different experience. 

Patch:  How much fun is it for the cast when the crowd gets up and starts dancing and singing along?

Chloe:  We love it! Some crowds really get into it and show up all decked out in boas and these extravagant outfits. We love when they get on their feet and join in, especially at the end when we do our “mega-mix”. Our purpose is to entertain, so we’re thrilled when the audience has a great time and enjoys the experience. It makes what we do completely worth it!

Patch:  What are some of your favorite all-time Broadway shows and plays? 

Chloe:  I absolutely love the classics, especially “Funny Girl”, “Jekyyll and Hyde” and “Phantom of the Opera”. From the time I was born, I have (had) such an admiration for Barbra Streisand and Bette Midler.

Patch:  You were thrust into the spotlight fairly quickly…how did you handle the process – the interviews, fans, etc.?

Chloe:   I love talking about the show and sharing my story of how I got to where I am because it doesn’t happen every day. But at the same time, my journey proves that it’s possible to do what you love.  My advice – just go for it!

Patch:  You successfully juggled school and music. What do you think about “Glee”, which focuses on performing arts programs in schools? 

Chloe:  These programs are so crucial. I’d never be where I am if it weren’t for my curriculum at Hamilton Academy School of Music. It’s so sad to observe what’s happening with the mass cutbacks and layoffs, because now a lot of kids won’t get the same experience. I was able to stay out of a lot of trouble thanks to my time at Hamilton!

Patch:  What’s on your Ipod…your bookshelf…your DVR? 

Chloe:  Kaye (Tuckerman) surprised me with a couple of books, including “A Thousand Splendid Suns” and “We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will be Killed With Our Families: Stories from Rwanda”. She believes that it’s important that we educate ourselves about the goings on in other parts in the world, to reinforce how fortunate we are to be living here. I’ve been listening to Katy Perry on repeat constantly, and as far as TV shows go, I love “How I Met Your Mother”.

Patch:  What are do you love to splurge on and what are your guilty pleasures?

Chloe:  I love to splurge on dinners – great food, especially Italian!  And my main guilty pleasure is The Disney Channel. My boyfriend teases me because I’ll switch back and forth between CNN and Disney!

“Mamma Mia!,” will play Carol Morsani Hall, July 12-17. Performances are Tuesday – Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m.

Regularly priced tickets start at $38.50 and may be purchased by calling 813.229.STAR (7827) or 800.955.1045 outside Tampa Bay, in person at the Straz Center Ticket Office or online.  The show is approximately two and a half hours long with an intermission. 

For more information about the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts and its upcoming events, visit their website or Facebook page