playbill vip

Ever since we announced the show, the response has been nothing short of incredible. Droves of students have brightly proclaimed that MAMMA MIA! was influential in their childhood. They're not alone. Many can relate to this ABBA notion of youthful bliss! I, too, have vivid memories of jumping on my bed in the summers while blasting ABBA and actively testing the limits of the volume on my boombox. The relatable messages, repetitive lyrics, and earworm melodies have made this music have the power to make a dancing queen out of us all. Whether it's a Donna whose "Spotify Wrapped" listed ABBA as her top artist before the show announcement, a Harry who emerged from the tech booth to audition because "it's MAMMA MIA!", or a Rosie who has been dancing to "Dancing Queen" long before seventeen, this music has iconized itself for the masses. 

This production has been, in a word, joyous. I've caught myself with many a sore cheekbone from smiling and a raw voice from screaming with pride. We anticipated that it would be fun, but the experience has surpassed our expectations, becoming downright delightful. Nothing is quite as special as producing this show with a hoard of literal seventeen-year-old dancing queens. They are fully immersed in the celebration of joy, and it's contagious.

I cannot fully express in writing my pride and gratitude to this group of super troupers. You've likely noted the repetitive use of the word "joy" and that is because it has been perfect for capturing this process. I may or may not have screamed the word regularly in rehearsals out of my immense enthusiasm for this student work. From our dedicated dance captains to our first-rate stage manager, this cast and crew have filled the theater with dedication and palpable joy. Their commitment to bringing MAMMA MIA! to life on this stage is truly commendable, and I am honored to work alongside them.

Thank you for being here tonight, for supporting educational theatre at RPA, and for choosing to spend your time with us. Your presence adds an extra layer of magic, and we hope that you leave with your heart full of fa-ABBA-ulous music (I had to).

Thank you for the music,

K. Torcom

Theatre Director