Mamma Mia! the Musical to light up Wagga Civic Theatre post Covid

Cast members of the first post-pandemic live show to help rejuvenate Wagga’s entertainment sector have described their excitement about getting on stage again.

After a Covid-forced industry break in the entertainment and performance sector, Wagga’s Civic Centre will be alive once more with singing and dancing for Mamma Mia! the Musical.

The show will hit centre stage on February 11 with 12 performances. Featuring 28 Abba songs, the musical has come together with local talents under Bidgee Theatre productions.
Theatre media student and local rising star, Caitlin Whitter, is set to dazzle audiences with her performance of the young bride-to-be Sophie.

“The last show we had was in 2018, so we are all very keen to get back on the stage. I haven’t performed in such a long time and it’s great feeling to finally be able to get back,” Ms Whitter said.

“I have loved Mamma Mia! since it came out, I remember going to the movies as a kid and I have been listening to the soundtrack pretty much my whole life.

“We have been practising for four weeks now and it’s so lovely to see everyone again and work with people, being on your own is quite isolating and to be back collaborating and singing with people who love performing in this industry is an incredible feeling.”

The Mamma Mia! cast previewed a sneak peek performance of the production before their February opening show.

Musician Aaron Oldaker is playing ‘love interest’ Sam Carmichael in the musical production and said “even husbands will enjoy the performance”.

“I guarantee the husbands who are dragged to the musical by their wives will love it,” he said.

“The arts sector was hit pretty hard with the Covid lockdowns, and since the last Covid period we have just been waiting to get back out there and perform again.

“I really implore the local community to get out there and support this as Wagga has so much local talent, there are so many people that are passionate about music and the performing arts, and you will be doing yourself a favour by coming along.”

Justine Hogan who is playing ‘mum’ Donna Sheridan in the musical gave The Wagga News a sneak performance of what will come on the night.

Mamma Mia! musical director Angela Boulton said it had brough together local talent and “fresh energy” to the production.

“The show is full of big bright quickly characters and an incredible dance routine by a brilliant choreographer and it is really fun from start to finish,” Ms Bouton said.

“The show was meant to be February this year but Covid lockdowns put as back 12 months behind, but we are back on schedule now and are really looking forward to putting some live theatre on.

“It’s so exciting to be one of the first performances back in Wagga since the lockdown, ABBA is fantastic and even the crowd will be encouraged to sing and dance the whole way through.

“We are so thankful to be able to put a show on, especially now we are at the tail end of all these lock downs, it is very exciting and we are looking forward to creating some happiness and laughter for the town.”

Mamma Mia! the musical will offer a total of 12 shows and opens at the Wagga Civic Theatre on February 11, 2022 and close on the February 26.

Tickets are now on sale through Wagga Civic Theatre.