Review: 'Mamma Mia!' at The Taft School

Watertown, CT - The Taft School is presenting a joyful production of MAMMA MIA! this weekend in the ornate Bingham Auditorium on their campus in Watertown. The musical kicked off Family Weekend at Taft last weekend, and senior citizens were invited to a matinee performance on Wednesday afternoon. A large number of them came out to enjoy the complimentary show that the 67 talented Taft students brought to life. Those of us from the generation of ABBA delighted in singing along.

“Typical, you wait 20 years for a father and then three show up at once.” - Rosie in MAMMA MIA!

The music and lyrics for MAMMA MIA! Were written by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus; Stig Anderson collaborated on some of the songs. The book for the show was written by Catherine Johnson and was originally conceived by Judy Crayer. Martin Koch is credited with additional material and arrangements.

“Hey ABBA, Thank you for the Music!” - Director Helena Fifer in her director’s note

The Taft students were nicely directed by Helena Fifer, with TJ Thompson in charge of music direction.The warm set of Donna’s Taverna, a bedroom or two, and a beach nearby was designed by David Kievit, who also designed the lighting. Chip Machokas did the lighting design that set the tone of a Greek Island. The costumes designed by Lesley Neilson Bowman were perfectly appropriate for the characters in the year 2000 who flashback to ABBA garb, including great platform footwear. Elena Echavarria of the class of ‘21 was in charge of stage management for the show.

The lead performers in the cast did their best to embody their often older characters and did very well with the music that was clearly before the time of even the upper class students. It was clear that they had worked very hard in rehearsal with their choreographers Sarah Surber and Amber Cameron and with Mr. Thompson to make the big musical numbers sparkle. I especially appreciated the dance moves for “S.O.S,” “Money, Money, Money,” “Super Trooper” and of course “Dancing Queen,” for which the audience was taught a small bit before the show began so that we could participate.

“I believe in angels…”

Meghan Spangenberg, a Taft senior opened the show in her role as the 20-year-old Sophie. With her crystal clear voice and earnest stage presence, this young performer was perfectly cast as the only daughter of Donna. I will long remember her performance. Erin Farrell and Michelle Tetro, both seniors, played Sophie’s bubbly best friends/bridesmaids Lisa and Ali.

Ms. Spangenberg’s best friend Sarah Woermer, also a senior at Taft, tackled the role of Donna and sang wonderfully in her leading role. She was able to shine during her solo “Slipping Through My Fingers” in the second act.

Senior Annabelle Wyman played very well the fun role of Donna’s former backup singer Rosie. The beautiful Lily Thompson, now a senior at Taft, played to the hilt the role of Tanya in a dark wig and high heels.

Leo Kaplan ‘22 acted well in the role of Sophie’s betrothed Sky. As Sophie’s three potential dads senior Nick Baird was strong in the role of Sam, junior Sam Choi was the former head-banger Harry and James Hughes had fun in the role of Bill. Senior Yehor Tverdokhlibov charmed the audience with amazing jumps in the role of Pepper, while senior Beckett Fine was his sidekick Eddie. Coleman Grustas, a sophomore played Rev. Alesandros.

Members of the ensemble, some of whom sang as background vocalists, included Jackson Almasian, Diana Braghis, Lily Darwin, Audrey D’Autorio, Kimmie Johnson, Julia Kunzelmann, Sheina Patrick, Kunchok Plamo, Chris Stutt, Natalie Vogelstein, Walker Wonham, Poom Yoosiri, Ivy Zhuang, Lauren Anderson, Avery Comish, Sasa Darwin, Grace Deng, Grace Kenney, Babi Marquez Jones, Anishka Perera, Blessed Sacrament Children’s Theatre alum Claire Roberts, Frank Trosky, Benjamin White, Mina Xio and Catherine Zhao.

The musicians and pit singers sounded very professional as they performed the fun arrangements of the classic ABBA tunes. Mr. Thompson, who covered keyboard 1 as he always does masterfully, conducted the mix of adult and student pit members, and it was difficult to distinguish between the two. Also on keyboard were Stephen Mayer ‘22, Anna Servina ‘21, Harry Yuan ‘23 and Omi Oliver ‘23. Fred Krug and Coleman Jennings ‘20 played guitar 1 and 2, Paul Bilodeau was on bass, Harry Wang ‘21 and James Allen covered percussion, Jaden Spangenberg ‘23 (who must have been very proud of his sister Meghan) was on drums, along with Emilio Justo ‘22 and Bob Nolte. Edvin Tran Hoac ‘20 was a vocalist in the pit.

“Our Taft students are all winners here, and we all know that the winner takes it all!! - Director Helena Fifer

Projections designed by Madelyn Yow ‘23 added to the scenes, especially those for Sophie’s nightmare. David Kievit was the technical director, with Dot Harrop and Cindy Fabian as assistants.

I had the pleasure of meeting the mother of Meghan and Jaden Spangenberg during intermission, the talented Malie Louise Grasmere (Snoopy in A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS at the Warner.) I was so glad that she came over to introduce herself and I appreciated the backstage info tidbits that she shared with me. Also in the audience I saw Mary McVerry, the retired director of Torrington HS productions, and a former colleague, Jane Bailey.

Congratulations to the members of the cast and crew and the adults that work with them on another sparkling production. The remaining performance is Friday, Nov. 1 at 7:30pm.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.

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