Three Questions with Mamma Mia's Nicole Zralka

We caught up with LWE senior Nicole Zralka, 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 Nicole a bit about the character she plays and the work she's put into the show.

Does Sophie know what she wants ?

Sophie is very stubborn, not unlike Donna. She insists she knows what she wants, but she doesn’t really. She thinks finding her father will somehow help her find herself. Throughout the show she realizes that finding a dad doesn’t change her identity. She discovers that what she wants isn’t always what she needs. Sophie finds happiness in her love for everyone around her, and realizes she couldn’t want anything more.

Did you draw on your own relationship with your mom to channel Sophie’s relationship with Donna ?

Sophie Sheridan’s relationship with her mom is the core of Mamma Mia, so it was very important to me to have Donna and Sophie’s dynamic show through my acting. I drew off of my relationship with my mom for this. In my life, my mom is always by my side, guiding me along the way. Donna and Sophie have been attached at the hip for Sophie’s entire life, but in the show we find out its now time for Sophie to leave the nest. In my own life, it will soon be time for me to go off to college. This scares me. I know it will be extremely hard not to have my mom there for every step along the way. I believe Sophie is feeling many of the same emotions I am. She is trying her best to hold on, when she knows it’s time to let go. Sophie has a hard time coping with this. I believe she thinks she needs to search for her dad because she thinks she is losing her mom. Her love for Donna drives the musical. I hope to portray my love for my mom when I play Sophie.

Who is Sophie’s dad?

In the show, Sophie discovers that her father could be one of three men: Sam, Bill, or Harry. Personally, I have my suspicions that Sophie’s father is none other than Bill Austin, as Joe (Bill’s actor) and I (Sophie) happen to have the same glasses prescription and a similar hair color... But, you’ll have to see the the show to find out for yourself! :)

What’s next for Nicole ?

My biggest passion in life is theatre, and I plan to pursue it as a career in the future. I am currently committed to attend the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign as a Lyric theatre major. I am super excited that I have the opportunity to study what I love. I am also interested in working in the visual arts, and plan to continue that in college as well. This summer I am hoping to do a community theatre production with my friends before I have to leave for school.

Best of luck to you Nicole 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!