After having its production of “Mamma Mia” canceled twice in 2020 due the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gratiot County Players finally will be returning to the stage later this month with six performances of the hit Broadway musical.
The play will be the first at the newly remodeled Strand Theater in downtown Alma.
This past winter the GCP spent nearly $100,000 renovating its home facility.
“Mamma Mia was originally scheduled to open May of 2020 but was postponed due to the pandemic,” said GCP member Laurie Harrison who is directing the production. “Another attempt was made for the fall of 2020, but again it got postponed. GCP decided to use the downtime to raise money and renovated the auditorium.”
The play features the music of the popular group Abba and tells “the hilarious story of a young woman’s search for her birth father” on a “Greek Island paradise,” according to Harrison.
Elizabeth Loyselle serves as the musical director and Jeff Rayburn is the musical director for the local production.
Cast members include Stephanie Leppien as Donna, Abigail Zerbe as Sophie, Amy McPike as Rosie, Angie Ballard as Tanya, Mark Maslovich as Sam, Pete Tacia as Bill, Larry LaLonde as Harry, Joshua Zeitler as Sky, Will Luetkemeir as Pepper, Ryan Sytsema as Eddie, Madelyn Lee as Ali, Alivia Giles as Lisa and Kevin Fitzgibbon as Father Alerzandros.
Performances of Mamma Mia are set for Friday and Saturday, Oct. 22 and 23, and Oct. 29 and 30 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 24 and Oct. 31 at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for senior citizens and students age 15 and older, and $8 for children 14 and younger.
They can be purchased and printed off in advance online at gratiotcountyplayers.com, or at the Strand Theater box office at 217 E. Superior St. from 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 18-21 and 25-28.
The box office is also open one hour before each performance.
Those who attend must wear masks regardless of vaccination status.
Vaccinated cast members will not wear masks while on stage and those unvaccinated will either wear a mask or show proof of a negative COVID test.
Harrison is excited to unveil the theater’s recent improvement to patrons.
Those include 233 new seats, new carpeting and handrails, and the number of levels have been reduced from 17 to nine to make it easier to walk down the aisles.
“The audiences will really appreciate the comfortable, larger seats and the ample leg room,” Harrison said.
However, on the downside cancelling all of last year’s performances was tough on the group financially.
“Our bank account took a major hit during the pandemic because we had to close our doors,” Harrison explained. “Luckily we had enough in our savings to get us through. We are really counting on Mamma Mia and the rest of the 2021-22 season to help build back our coffers.
“Community theatre relies heavily on the support of the community. GCP is so fortunate to have such wonderful, generous patrons who have shown us through these tough times and that they want to see us survive and that they strongly believe we are vital to the community.”
The group has three more productions scheduled this season. “Elf The Musical Jr.” will take place Dec. 3-5 and 10-12; “Silent Sky,” Feb. 18-20 and 15-27; and “Sister Act” May 13-15 and 20-22.
For more details checkout the GCP website or its Facebook page.
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October 06, 2021 at 01:25AM
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Gratiot County Players return to the stage - The Morning Sun
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