Welcome to Whitney High School’s Production of Mamma Mia!
This show is a joyful celebration of music, love, and life’s unpredictable twists. Based on the iconic songs of ABBA, Mamma Mia! first dazzled audiences onstage in 1999 before being catapulted into the global spotlight by the 2008 film. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the story, the music will surely strike a chord with its timeless hits like “Dancing Queen” and “Mamma Mia.”
What has always drawn me to this show is, of course, the music—but there’s something deeper, too. Set against the sparkling Greek Isles, Mamma Mia! offers an escape, a glimpse into a sunlit fantasy of life abroad. Yet beneath the scenic backdrop, the story reminds us that life’s challenges, joys, and imperfections are universal. Whether you’re in a Mediterranean paradise or the suburbs of Rocklin, California, problems don’t disappear—they just shift. But what makes this story so compelling is how the characters embrace life with humor and heart, even when faced with life-altering decisions.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to the incredible cast and crew I’ve had the privilege of working with over the past few months. This talented group of young performers and technicians has poured their energy and creativity into every moment of this production. In doing so, they’ve discovered something essential: that their actions—on stage and off—have an impact. Great things don’t just happen; they’re made to happen through hard work, collaboration, and persistence. Whether rehearsing lines in their own quiet space or bringing the stage to life under the glow of the lights, this cast has embraced the process, and it’s been an honor to watch them grow.
Our guiding motto this year comes from acclaimed music producer, Rick Rubin, who preaches to treat our artistic work as a personal diary entry -not concerned with outcome or opinions we can’t anticipate or control anyway, but with our own satisfaction and love of doing the thing.
Once again, special thanks to my fellow directors. To our Choreographer and Costume Director, my wife, Mallory. The overall production value of shows such as this as well as the addition of new and improved ideas are from her. Left to my own devices, we’d perhaps improve the efficiency of our work year by year, but nothing more. While her choreography and costume direction carry the show, it’s all the other intangibles: the lobby, photography, contacting various vendors, social media output, graphic design, streamlining documentation, and finding new ways to show appreciation to the cast who might otherwise only get a “good job” from me at the end of this thing.
Thanks to our Vocal Director, Brett, who has provided a consistent source of vocal direction to the students for 2 years now. There are parts of the show that would not have been made possible without Brett’s wealth of experience in the theatrical world. When someone misses a rehearsal with Brett, it’s a lost opportunity because there is little doubt that they would have gotten better that day. That is the value and vocal standard that has been set over the last few years.
Thank you to my son Everest, whose recent requests for Mamma Mia in the car as well as his ability to light up the rehearsal space during choreo, have added a kind of live-in-the moment dynamic that can be so easily lost in the mayhem of nightly rehearsals and anxiety over the approaching deadlines of tech week and opening night.
Lastly, thank you to the parents of the cast and crew who have allowed your student to participate and hopefully grow from this experience. There is a level of trust that is required for this whole thing to work that might be acceptable for us to take for granted in our community, but should nonetheless at least be acknowledged and honored. And as always, to my own parents -thank you for your continued support both then and now.
To EVERYONE, I hope you enjoy the show!
- Joshua Ansley
