Three Questions with Mamma Mia's Emma Mize

We caught up with LWE senior Emma Mize , who is busy rehearsing for the upcoming LWE production of Mamma Mia! April 12-14. Tickets are on sale now at lwemusic.org ABBA's hits tell the hilarious story of a young woman's search for her birth father. This sunny and funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago.
Mamma Mia! is a fun, glittery, dance-pop musical, but we were able to chat with Emma a bit about the character she plays and the work she's put into the show.

Rosie has returned to the island many times and seems to have been a part of Sophie’s childhood , yet she’s never had a child of her own. Do you think she regrets this ? Was it her choice to remain single/childless all these years ? Have her wants /needs changed with 20 years’ time?

I think at one point Rosie may have been upset with not having a child or a man, but she is definitely over it now because she has Sophie. Having kids and getting married just isn’t a priority. She does not have the time or interest in settling down with a family and, with 20 years of this thinking, she has settled into her ways. But, who knows? Maybe, she is willing to change, I guess you will just have to come see the show to find out!

Does Rosie stand for something else ( a choice Donna didn’t make or didn’t have ?) or is she just comic relief ?

Rosie is everything that Donna wishes she could have done and if Donna was not such a responsible parent probably would have done. Rosie travels the world, free of responsibility and worry of love, while Donna was forced to stay on this isolated island to take care of an unexpected child. I do believe if Donna had the opportunity to travel she would have fallen in love through these adventures, unlike Rosie who stopped looking for romance. Yet, I do think they are both similar in their independence and strong will. All in all, Rosie shows that she did not need a husband or kids to enjoy herself or feel that she was successful and she does all of this with a comedy.

Was it difficult playing an older role with experiences you haven’t had yet , or not ?

It was difficult. Even though I relate to many of the character’s emotions and attitudes, it’s hard to play a forty something year old hippy who has traveled all over the world with a best selling cookbook when you are a teenager in high school with minimal cooking experience. While I have not experienced as much as the character, I certainly am just as spunky, independent, and fun.

Who is Sophie’s dad?

Personally, I believe Bill is Sophie’s Dad. I feel that him and Sophie are the most similar with looks and personality. Both are very adventurous, knowledgeable, and spontaneous. Not to mention their blonde hair! Again, you will have to come see the show to find out!

What’s next for Emma ?

I am a senior so I will be graduating this year. I plan to go to college for Musical Theatre, but I am still undecided on where. The next music related event I have coming up is Jazz Showcase (tickets at lwemusic.org or on our facebook page as well as our final choir concert which is April 30, 7pm at East. I also plan to do a musical over the summer with my friends before I leave for college. I can’t wait for everyone to see Mamma Mia! and all of the hard work we have put into making this terrific show!

Best of luck to you Emma and the entire cast of Mamma Mia! Tickets for family friendly Mamma Mia! are available now online at lwemusic.org Shows are April 12 & 13 @ 7pm, April 13 @ 1pm and April 14 @ 3pm . Make sure to bring your dancing bling for this one-- Mamma Mia ! is a blast!!like us on FACEBOOK!