Three Questions with Mamma Mia's Sam Ruby

We caught up with LWE senior Sam Ruby , 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 Sam a bit about the character he plays and the work he's put into the show.

Why did Sam wait for a wedding invitation to return to the island ? Why did he wait to be invited instead of just returning on his own ?

He didn’t show up any sooner because he didn’t want to hurt Donna anymore than he already had. In my character study of Sam, he wrote countless letters to her but never mailed any of them because he didn’t want to cause her pain.

Does Sam Carmichael change during the course of this musical ?

He changes, but also his situation changes. When he gets the invitation to the wedding, he assumes that Donna still loves him, and he arrives on the island with some brash overconfidence. Before returning to the island, Sam has imagined every possible scenario with his first reunion with Donna— except the one where she glares at him and says “YOU!”. So his arrogance and confidence are shaken quite a bit in Act I, and it takes time for him to recover. His recovery is mostly related to his extreme persistence, however.

Was it difficult playing an older role going through an experience you haven’t had yet , or not ? How did you find a way to identify with Sam Carmichael

Being a 17 year old playing 40 year old Sam seemed hard at first, but I feel like I’ve written in enough backstory and have enough past experience to draw upon to make it believable. I have written an entire past life for Sam Carmichael, and over the course of these rehearsals, I’ve really come to understand his character. Most roles I’ve played have been character roles, comedians, or larger than life heroes. Sam is the first “real person ” character I’ve played. He has very human emotions, and I am able to convey those emotions through drawing upon past experiences that I have had and the stories I’ve made up about him. When we run the show, I am Sam. It also helps that we share the same name!

I have to ask you ----who is Sophie’s dad?

It’s genetically Bill --- not based on the story, the acting, or the music, but based on the casting of this show. Come see what I mean!

What’s next for Sam Ruby ?

Next up is the Lincoln-way East Jazz Showcase , and then graduation, and a last summer with friends before I head off to college to study Theatre Education at Ball State University . I’m hoping to work for some children’s shows this summer, and I will do some volunteer theatre education work as well . I might do a community theatre project with my friends, which is always a ton of fun. We have film projects too -- it should be a good summer!

Best of luck to you Sam 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!