Here we go again! Cherokee’s drama program presents ‘Mamma Mia!’

On Friday evening, April 23, Cherokee High School’s theater group welcomed audiences to the island of Kalokairi as they performed their first showing of ‘Mamma Mia!’.

With a cast of 42 students, the ‘Cherokee Players’ retold the story of Sophie Sheridan, a 20-year-old who invites three men from her single mother’s past to find her real father before her wedding day.

From left to right: Rebecca Kraft, Amelia Nesmith, and Sarah Copen read the diary of Donna Sheridan as the production begins [Photo Source: Leora Winter]

This performance has been two years in the making. Because of the quarantine, the theater group could no longer perform for the end of the 2020 school year. Instead of changing plays, like most theater programs in the county, Dr. Burn decided to keep ‘Mamma Mia!’ for the 2021 school year, only recasting around four new students to the cast.

The play consisted of 27 songs, all with amazing choreography by Mrs. Yeomans. Mr. Segall directed the music and the hyper realistic set was designed and constructed by Mr. Miller.

Not only were the adults hard at work, but our Cherokee Players too! Since January, the group would practice everyday until 6:00 pm, excluding Fridays. The week of the show was filled with three dress rehearsals all going until 9:00 pm.

From left to right: Steven Stanton, Walker Booth, Amelia Nesmith, and Patrick Shoen put on a fantastic scene at the beginning of the play [Photo Source: Leora Winter]

Cast

Amelia NeSmith as Sophie Sheridan

Mary Stewart “Stewie” Brannam as Donna Sheridan

Steven Stanton as Sam Carmichael

Walker Booth as Bill Austen

Patrick Shoen as Harry Bright

Will DeMartini as Sky

Rebecca Kraft as Ali

Sarah Copen as Lisa

Camille Janawitz as Tanya

Sarah Harmon as Rosie

Douglas Mwangi as Cayenne

Daniel Mwangi as Pepper

Nathan Carson as Eddie

Lucas Croft as Father Alexandrios

Crew

Audrey Mullen – Student Director

Liberty Jo Miller – Asst. Student Director

Evan Walters – Lighting Technician

Olivia Langston – Sound Technician

McKenna Goodrich – Microphone Technician

The ensemble takes center stage as they perform their choreographed routine [Photo Source: Leora Winter]

After the first official show, the Warrior Word talked to a few of the cast members on the play overall and all the work that has been put towards this production

Oh gosh what can I say, this has been such an amazing experience. This has been my favorite show since I was a kid so being able to do it is a DREAM! I’m so so honored to work with so many amazing people to make such a fantastic show and I’m so glad it was able to happen. It was rocky at times, but were here now and I’m so so proud.
Mary Stewart “Stewie” Brannam, or Donna Sheridan

I feel really great about the show! We’ve put in a lot of work and there is a lot of talent in the cast, I’m super proud of all of them and the show is so much fun!
Walker Booth, or Bill Austen

I’ve loved getting the chance to do the show for the last two years and seeing how people have really grown with it. I think that having so long to work on it has really made it an experience unlike any other.
Sydney Little, Ensemble (far right)

We also asked members of the audience how they enjoyed the play.

I had high expectations because I love the movie version and honestly the play met them. I enjoyed every second of it.
Ava Lees, senior at CHS

Even though I had never seen the ‘Mamma Mia!’ movie before, Cherokee’s show exceeded my expectations! The cast was extremely talented, and I really enjoyed the show.
Kayla Pimpleton, senior at CHS