‘Mamma Mia!’ Onstage In January

COMMUNITY NEWS

‘Mamma Mia!’ Onstage In January

On the eve of her wedding, a young woman’s quest to discover her father’s identity brings three men from her mother’s past back to the Greek island they last visited 20 years ago. Set to the hit songs of the Swedish pop band ABBA, “Mamma Mia!” tells the story of Sophie Sheridan and her mother, Donna, in a hilarious, “take-a-chance” tale of love, laughter and friendship as portrayed on stage by Mount Madonna School’s high school cast.

After headstrong Sophie secretly reads her mother’s journals, she narrows down her father’s identity to three possibilities. The story heats up as Sophie, unbeknownst to Donna, invites all three men to her wedding.

Performances are Friday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m., Saturday Jan. 28 at 2 p.m. and a special sing-along performance is offered on Sunday, Jan. 29 at 2 p.m. at the Hawks’ Nest Theater at Mount Madonna School. Tickets are available at mms-mammamia.brownpapertickets.com. Adult tickets are $15; $10 for 18 and under; all seats are reserved. Tickets for the sing-along performance are $20.

The original musical premiered onstage in 1999 and was later adapted into a 2008 film starring Amanda Seyfried and Meryl Streep.

“ABBA’s music will get the audience excited and up on its feet,” commented junior Anya Gonzalez, who plays Sophie in the MMS production. “In ‘Mamma Mia!’ there’s a universal theme of identity and the struggle revolving around finding one’s identity, which is part of human nature. Sophie is a prime example of that in that she is attempting to find her dad to fill in the missing piece of herself. Through the experience of portraying Sophie, I think I’ve learned how to be more carefree and bubbly.

“The story itself has characters who are all longing for something bigger than themselves and I think that’s something that high school students can all relate to,” continued Gonzalez. “It also sends the message that it’s important to let loose from your everyday life and be a little bit more carefree. The show completely counters the idea of the hustle culture that is prominent in today’s society.” Mount Madonna’s high school performing arts program includes all students; grades nine through twelve. “The arts are a marvelous place for a community to gather, and in the spirit of creativity and collaboration, we are pleased to see the student cast “own” this story, embrace the soundtrack and entertain us with their inspired movin’ and groovin’,” commented Director Chelsea Otterness. Director Seán Boulware agreed.

“We are thrilled that MMS high school students chose “Mamma Mia!” as their winter production,” said Boulware. “It has wonderful themes and music that takes you back to the golden age of disco and ABBA. What a joy to be part of this stellar production.” n

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“Mamma Mia!” music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, with additional lyrics by Stig Anderson. “Mamma Mia!” was originally produced in London by Judy Craymer, Richard East and Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal. Additional Material & Arrangements by Martin Koch. Music published by Universal Music Publishing Group and EMI Grove Park Music Inc. and EMI Waterford Music Inc. “Mamma Mia!” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

“COVID Update” from page 7

Santa Cruz County reports 51 Covid deaths after Omicron, compared to 225 as of Dec. 15, 2021, before Omicron.

No deaths were reported in the past month, leaving the total at 276 since the pandemic began in 2020.

The last nine deaths were people who were vaccinated, according to the county dashboard, all 65 or older with medical conditions.

Tests at Home

Santa Cruz County reports 801 active Covid cases, double from a month ago.

Dr. John Swartzberg, clinical professor emeritus of infectious diseases and vaccinology at UC Berkeley School of Public Health, contends Covid case data are not valuable for monitoring the virus because so many people buy tests sold at drugstores for use at home, which escape tracking by public health officials.

The Santa Cruz County Office of Education last reported 684,700 tests with Inspire Diagnostics before the holiday.

According to the Santa Cruz Office of Education, cases in schools peaked at 4,407 on Jan. 27, 2022, and rose in the past month from 161 to 363.

The 14-day positivity rate, 12.25% in January 2022, rose in December from 1.61% to 2.71%.

Due to the holiday, the California Department of Public Health has not updated the patient count hospitalized in Santa Cruz County with a positive Covid test.

2023 Recommendation

The CDC plans to provide a recommended vaccine schedule in 2023.

On Oct. 20, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted unanimously in favor of adding the Covid vaccine to the federal recommended immunization schedule for children and adults.

The existing schedule recommends 27 doses of vaccine between birth and age 6.

Starting at 6 months, children should get the Covid vaccine, plus boosters, the committee said.

The committee heard Dr. Tom Shimabukuro report the death of a boy 13 days after his first dose of Pfizer Covid vaccine. The autopsy showed the cause of death was heart inflammation known as myocarditis; tests found no evidence of viral infection.

The death was reported to the federal Vaccine Adverse Effects Reporting System, and verified by the CDC. Committee members determined Covid vaccine benefits outweigh the risks.

The CDC said its recommendation is not a mandate, with the decision up to states, counties and municipal officials.

California’s SB 277 requires students be vaccinated to attend public school; no exemptions for personal belief. Homeschoolers are exempt.

Local information: www.santacruz health.org/coronavirus or (831) 454-4242 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon. through Fri. n •••

Santa Cruz County

In hospital with positive Covid test: 28 Intensive care: 2 •••

COVID Deaths: 276

As of Dec. 17

Age

85 and older: 121 • 75-84: 64 • 65-74: 49 60-64: 15 • 55-59: 4 • 45-54: 10 35-44: 8 • 25-34: 5

Underlying Conditions

Yes: 226 • No: 50

Vaccinated

Yes: 39 • No: 237

Race

White 163 • Latinx 90 • Asian 16 • Black 3 Amer Indian 1 • Hawaiian 1 • Another 2

Gender

Men: 140 • Women: 136

Location

At facility for aged: 118 Not at a facility: 158