Tickets selling fast for Coshocton Footlight Players’ performance of ‘Mamma Mia!’
The Coshocton Footlight Players will present “Mamma Mia!” for two weekends only in July. Ali, played by Morgan Stamper, (left) comes to her friend Sophie’s wedding, played by Amanda Kittel, who is also pictured.
COSHOCTON – You’re invited to a wedding on a tropical Greek Island as the Coshocton Footlight Players present “Mamma Mia!” at the Triple Locks Theatre on July 18 – 20 and 25 – 27 at 8 p.m. and July 28 at 2 p.m. There will also be a reception at 7 p.m. on opening night prior to the show.
“Mamma Mia!” is the story of a young woman’s search for her birth father. After reading her mother’s diary, she has the choices narrowed down to three possible men, all of whom she invites to her wedding – without telling them why, of course. The backdrop for this romantic comedy is a beautiful Greek island and is set to 29 of ABBA’s timeless songs.
Twenty-five cast members bring this musical to life on the Triple Locks stage with the help of crew members and backstage volunteers.
“It’s high-energy fun,” said director Susan Metz Guthrie. “It’s something fun to do on a hot summer night. We think the community will love it and have fun.”
The bride-to-be, Sophie, is played by Amanda Kittel. This is her sixth production with the Coshocton Footlight Players. She describes her character as compassionate and very personable.
“This is my first serious romantic role I’ve had to play,” said Kittel. “I’ve had to play characters in a side romance in plays before, but this is the first time I’ve played the main plot romance. I’m playing an adult getting married. It feels weird.”
Sophie’s mother, Donna, is played by Shelly Lillibridge, who is a veteran to the Triple Locks stage. She describes Donna as feisty and independent.
“I identified with her just by reading the entire script and knowing where she stands with every other character and where she fits in with that,” said Lillibridge. “The concept of her generation with her daughter’s generation is interesting. She didn’t get married and she can’t understand why her daughter would want to get married.”
Donna’s three love interests in the play are Harry (Christopher Graves), Bill (Jesse Whinnery), and Sam (Nick Fischer).
Fischer just finished portraying a very different character as Sweeny Todd in “Sweeny Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street”.
“This is completely different than ‘Sweeny Todd’,” said Fischer. “‘Sweeny Todd’ was a dark comedy with dark music. This has much lighter music, more fun music. It’s just fun working with such a large group. This is the largest group I’ve ever been in.”
Whinnery’s character, Bill, has so far lived a life with no commitments.
“He’s a kindred spirit,” said Whinnery. “He’s spent his life backpacking all over the world for a national magazine. When he finds out there is a possibility he’s the father, he freaks out. But he has a good heart.”
One of Donna’s friends, Rosie, is played by Diane Jones, who is appearing in her seventh musical with the footlight players. She describes Rosie as the comic relief, but she has a heart which she reveals at certain times in the play.
“It’s exciting,” said Jones. “It’s fun and a lot of work, but it’s so rewarding and I appreciate everyone who’s involved because every person here has an important role whether they’re on stage or off stage.”
Tickets are still available but selling quickly and may be purchased on the Coshocton Footlight Players website at footlightplayers.com or by calling the box office at 740-622-2959.
Category: Arts & Entertainment
