Central Bucks South High School has been accredited for its incredible academics and athletics multiple times, but one aspect of CB’s talents that is often overlooked is the arts. The Titan Thespians are an incredibly talented group of kids who preform two productions a year for the students of our South community. Fresh off their amazing interpretation of Peter and the Starcatcher last November, the Thespians are now tackling the Tony Award nominated musical, Mamma Mia!.

Mamma Mia! is a jukebox musical with music from Benny Anderson and Björn Ulvaeus. The score specifically features the incredible hits of the infamous 70s band ABBA. From the whimsical “Take a Chance on Me” to the lighthearted “Dancing Queen,” the music in this show is bound to leave you singing all the way home.

Mamma Mia! is a widely known title, specifically made famous from the 2008 movie musical adaption starring Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried. But the stage adaption has many differences as well as similarities from the movie, making it a new experience for all.

The show is set to run from March 31^st to April 1^st. It will include 3 performances, one matinee and two evening shows. All tickets are priced at 15 dollars and are currently available for purchase on Purple Pass.

The cast and crew are well into rehearsals now, as they started in January. They’ve recently preformed alongside many other schools at Central Buck’s Broadway Cares. As for the production itself, the director claims that the cast has recently finished and polished all of Act 1 and is working its way into Act 2.

The cast incorporates a variety of talented kids of all ages, grades, and talents. The main cast features Shannon McCarthy as Donna, Nora Johnson as Sophie, Luke Mingacci as Sam Carmichael, Andrew Esterly as Harry Bright, David Arnold as Bill Austin, Olivia Giampolo as Tanya, and Allison Barlick as Rosie. As for the crew, this year’s stage managers are juniors Iona McMenemy and Maddy Jimiera.

But the man operating the whole mission is the beloved South science teacher and new Thespian Director Mr. Mack. Mack took over directing the Thespians in 2021 and made his debut to the South community with his 21-22 productions of Radium Girls and Little Shop of Horrors.

Mack is no newbie to the stage though. Mack has been acting and participating in theater productions since the age of 5. He carried on his experience throughout junior high, senior high, and college as well. He has also been the main director for a 3-12 grade summer theater program for nearly a decade.

Mack is overjoyed to share his vision with the public this upcoming month. Mack says “there’s so much magic and joy” within the Thespians version of the show. Mack also described the show as an “experience for people who’ve never seen the stage version.”

Shannon McCarthy, the leading lady of the show, walked through her typical day in the life as the star of Mamma Mia!. She said that rehearsals have been consisting of forty-five minutes of vocal rehearsals. From then on, the cast comes together to see what sections of the show they should highlight that day: choreography, blocking, or run throughs.

McCarthy went on to describe the environment of the set life behind the curtain. McCarthy detailed the overwhelming amount of support she’s received from the entire cast. With this being her first lead role, she could not be happier to share it with the “talented cast” she is surrounded by.

But this show is not just about the cast; the Thespians have an incredible crew behind them as well. McCarthy stated, “our show would be nothing without our crew. They are all so talented and knowledgeable.” Mack added on by saying his tech crew always knows how to bring his visions to life and “never fail to impress him.”

McCarthy also talked about her excitement for Mamma Mia!’s run. McCarthy says, “With Mamma Mia! being such a popular show, it will be very interesting to see how it is done differently by everyone in the cast. I believe that it’s so worth seeing someone else’s interpretation of it.”

For people who are not familiar with the material, McCarthy and Mack both shared that this show is for all ages. Mack has said that “this show has a PG rating” and is an age inclusive show.

Overall, the Titan Thespians are overjoyed to share their production of Mamma Mia! with the Central Bucks community. So, if you’re looking for a night out filled with nostalgic music, dancing, and an amazing storyline, mark your calendars for March 31^st. Mamma Mia! is on its way.