Teaneck High School's 'Mamma Mia' was a Coruscating Disco Inferno

Teaneck High School's production of Mamma Mia. Photo taken by William Edward Beavers, V.

The evening of March 22, 2024 was a disco inferno when Mamma Mia came to Teaneck High School. From vigorous singing voices by the main and supporting cast to the astounding pop rock from the stage band, it was a well-executed musical production to bring to the Township of Teaneck. A great direction by THS alumnus Ari Hiller, co-direction by Mr. Todd Murphy, and musical direction by Mrs. Molly Neff.

To those who are not familiar, Mamma Mia tells the tale of young bride-to-be Sophie Sheridan, played by Lula Najera, who has no idea who her birth father is. It could be one of her taverna owner mother Donna's ex-lovers Sam Carmichael, Harry Bright or Bill Austin, played by Henry Hietikko-Parson, Nate White and Hamish White. On the other hand, Donna Sheridan, played by Maggie Smith, wonders if the party’s over now that her disco days are behind her and Sophie’s ready to move on to adulthood. She has great support in the forms of her Dynamo bandmates Tanya and Rosie, played by Toni Loveless and Esa Gadson, but no partner to share her life with. These heavy tales of adulthood, female empowerment, and friendship do tend to lighten up with help from the musical numbers courtesy of pop supergroup ABBA.

Sophie Sheridan, played by Lula Najera, in Teaneck High School's production of Mamma Mia. Photo taken by William Edward Beavers, V.

Donna Sheridan, played by Maggie Smith, in Teaneck High School's production of Mamma Mia. Photo taken by William Edward Beavers, V.

Though I do enjoy ABBA’s “Dancing Queen”, I wasn’t invested in Mamma Mia until Friday night’s performance, which was coruscating. When I say “coruscating”, I don’t just mean because there were moments that they lit up during the tough times with a dance under the colorful disco ball. It was also coruscating when the show also shed light on the fact that just because you don’t know one of your birth parents or because you’re a hard-working single parent, that does not mean your life doesn’t deserve something or someone special. In that case, the show was heartwarming as well as a real excellent festivity.

The Dynamos, Tanya and Rosie, played by Toni Loveless and Esa Gadson, in Teaneck High School's production of Mamma Mia. Photos taken by William Edward Beavers, V.

Donna Sheridan's employees Pepper and Eddie, played by Chase Burton and Alex Perez, in Teaneck High School's production of Mamma Mia. Photo taken by William Edward Beavers, V.

Sam Carmichael, played by Henry Hietikko-Parson, in Teaneck High School's production of Mamma Mia. Photo taken by William Edward Beavers, V.

Harry Bright, played by Hamish White, in Teaneck High School's production of Mamma Mia. Photo taken by William Edward Beavers, V.

Bill Austin, played by Nate White, in Teaneck High School's production of Mamma Mia. Photo taken by William Edward Beavers, V.

Sky, played by Sebastian Mendoza, in Teaneck High School's production of Mamma Mia. Photo taken by William Edward Beavers, V.

A second thing I liked about the musical were the main female and male castmates making fun of adulthood’s responsibilities and getting wild around Greece, including Tanya rejecting Donna’s employee Pepper’s flirting with her on the beach in “Does Your Mother Know?”. Another humorous scene was Rosie bringing ABBA’s “Take a Chance on Me” when one of Bill was going to resign to being single.

And as I stated earlier, there was some vigorous singing in the cases of Sophie, Donna, Tanya and Rosie. Putting aside their funny yet awkward first meeting, the actors who played potential fathers Sam, Bill, and Harry were great when they poured their hearts out to Sophie, then Donna, and when the men were discussing the joys of being unhitched and traveling the world.

A note I have was that the sound prevented me from hearing most of Act II, starting with “Does Your Mother Know?”. However, Tanya made up for visuals with her breaking down Pepper and the scene seeming reminiscent of an Elton John music video. And I felt like Sky, Sophie’s fiancé, played by Sebastian Mendoza, should’ve been given more stage time. That may not have been the original show’s plan, but still.

Teaneck High School's Mamma Mia at the end. With friends and family (blood or not), you can have the time of your life. Photo courtesy of William Edward Beavers, V.

Nevertheless, I stand by my previous statements that Teaneck High School’s production of Mamma Mia was a coruscating disco inferno. The music and acting were wonderful things to witness, and great job in reminding that happiness should never stop at any age. And my best wishes to the stage crew, set designs, band, and basically everyone who made this possible.