Love, Laughs and ABBA Hits—Mamma Mia! Hits St. Andrew’s This February

Check your winter jacket at the door and transport yourself to the sun-soaked Greek isles this February at the SAS Upper School Theatre performance of Mamma Mia! Prepare to be delighted with the rom-com hijinks in this fever dream musical that will leave you feeling light and easy, humming along to your favorite ABBA hits. 

“I love doing Mamma Mia! because not only is every large musical number entertaining to watch, it's also so incredibly exciting to be in! The upbeat music allows everyone to really have fun on stage,” said Lucy Bowles, Class of ‘25. “Everyone needs to come out and see Mamma Mia! because it is exciting and filled with so much joy.”

On the heels of Chicago's 2024 success, this February the Upper School Art’s Department is showcasing the talent of the cast and crew in an expansive 2025 Spring musical production of Mamma Mia! Directed by Jason Kruger with musical direction by Olivia Havel performances will run  Feb. 5-9, Wednesday through Sunday night at 7pm in the Dell Fine Arts Center on the Southwest Parkway Campus at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School.
 
“Everything about Mamma Mia! will surprise you!” said St. Andrew’s Theatre Director, Jason Kruger. “The talent of the students. The choreography, The singing. The set. The costumes. The lighting. 

“I think people are going to walk away from this production being surprised that this is a high school musical!” he added. 

Don’t miss the vocal, theatrical and technical skills of SAS’s Upper School students! Tickets are available now until they sell out.

“As the director, it's always a challenge to bring a well-known musical, especially one that is also a popular movie, to life,” said Kruger. “I'm proud of the cast, crew, and creative team that has worked hard to create a fun, light-hearted and honest production of this show that rings true to the original musical, but is also uniquely our own.” 

Not only is Mamma Mia! a delight for audiences, this year’s cast and crew have enjoyed learning together and building camaraderie that comes from countless rehearsals together. 

“My favorite part of doing the musical this year has been getting to see the cast and musical unfold as the process has come along,” said cast member and Class of 2028, Amelia Brandon.

Her first year performing in the high school musical, Brandon has enjoyed learning the ropes from upperclassmen and pushing herself to become a better performer in rehearsals.

Adding another layer of complexity to the 2025 production of Mamma Mia! is the double casting, said Upper School Choir Director, Olivia Havel.

“With all of the double casting, students have to have a lot of responsibility of knowing their own individual track for the show depending on what cast is performing,” continued Havel.  “Students are having to think ahead a bit more and getting comfortable with not doing the exact same choreography or blocking every night of the show.” 

The dedicated practice and commitment from  St. Andrew’s cast and crew will pay off this winter when the lights dim and curtains rise for their first performance. 

“Everyone needs to come see it because, though many people don't realize, SO much work has gone into this show by the people on and off stage.  It's so important to celebrate this hard work!" said Lucy Bowles.