This spring, the LSE theatre department will bring a full-scale production of “Mamma Mia!” to life. While audiences may know the story from the movie or even the Broadway stage, this year’s show promises a fresh, student-driven take that makes the beloved musical entirely its own.

“I deliberately don’t look at the movie,” Technical Director Heather Hillhouse said. “I don’t look at previous groups that have done the show before. I don’t look at the Broadway pictures. And I do that specifically because I believe really strongly that each show should be designed for that unique environment.”  

The musical is set on a Greek island, and the scenery reflects that, with a stationary set that represents the hotel courtyard (where most of the musical will be), a dock and a bedroom area. This musical is about a young woman named Sophie and her mother Donna who run the hotel on the island. Sophie is getting married, and for her wedding she invites three men from Donna’s past who could potentially be her father.

In order to make the setting as accurate as possible, the design is based heavily on real locations. Research played a major role in shaping the look and structure of the stage.

“Most of my focus with the set is based on the Greek islands,” Hillhouse said. “So I did a lot of research on some of the smaller islands around Greece.”

The design includes details inspired by buildings in real life, with lots of curved structures and stucco. Due to the musical being set in a small hotel, the set is centered around a courtyard.

Costumes are following a more modern and casual approach, reflecting the early 2000s beachy style. Many actors are bringing their own clothing. However, there are also some specialty costumes like the Rock ones that Donna and her friends wear, and these can provide a challenge.

“It’s been kind of hard to find pieces that fit our budget along with just trying to find time to get certain costume pieces that we might need for a specific character,” Costume Head Addison Wolfe said.

Lots of work is being put into planning these costumes.

“We take measurements, create an inspiration slideshow, bring in different pieces for the characters, figure out hairstyles and makeup and just a ton of other stuff to help the actors get ready for the show,” Wolfe said.

Other challenges also inevitably come up with costume design.

“Communication is the biggest [challenge],” Costume Designer Darryl Ross said. “I’m a part of a team of four. With that being said I have really been taking emails past its limits, keeping everyone including our stage managers and directors on the same page when it comes to costumes.”

Beyond just design, the production also has musical and technical elements that have to be put together. The first rehearsals are divided, with some focusing on choreography, and the others focusing on music and lines. 

“I rehearse all songs with soloists and the ensemble, as well as direct the singers and pit band during the performances,” Music Director Shelley Lyon said.

Lighting is yet another key element in the production.

“I hang all the lights, then direct them in the right position before finally setting the stage to see how the lights work,” Head Lighting Director Jordan Rizza said.

The cast also plays a major role in bringing the show together. This year’s actors are all a very tight knit group, and that is a big advantage. 

“Having chemistry on stage is so much easier when the people that you’re acting with are your closest friends,” lead actress Sydney Kjeldgaard who plays Sophie said.

With this group being so close knit, there are lots of advantages outside of chemistry on stage.

“Communication is great in the theatre department, so someone can easily find a support system in anyone,” Stage Manager Shelby Parks said.

In order to prepare for a musical like “Mamma Mia!”, actors also have to work outside of school and rehearsal time. Putting on this musical requires lots of time and dedication.

 “I watch rehearsal videos on the side,” Kjeldgaard said. “I look at my libretto to memorize lines for probably a couple hours a week, and I sing music in my car at my house. I always have Mamma Mia in the back of my mind.”

The background characters also play a major role in helping this production come together.

“Almost every song in Mamma Mia has backing choir vocals, so we are required to memorize our part on the songs since we’ll be on stage and mic’d up for the performances,” Dance Captain Blake Gustafson said.

This year’s choreography is also more difficult than some of the other musicals.

“This year there are around 11 choreographed numbers… I really want everyone in the cast to be confident when it comes to their own personal choreography and have it not be as big of a worry as something else in the show like singing their part while on stage,” Gustafson said.

While balancing all of these elements and keeping communication between all the cast and crew can be challenging, there haven’t been any major setbacks yet.

As the production date comes closer, all this time spent on preparation, coordination and rehearsal will soon lead to the final performance.

“When everything comes together in the end, it shows the dedication, hard-work, blood, sweat and tears everyone has put into this production,”  Parks said.