Two Area Residents Have Roles in Mamma Mia

Sounding suspiciously like a recipe foreshadowing disaster, one wedding, two best friends, and three father figures form the plot of a musical romantic comedy opening on September 10. Mamma Mia, a Montana Actors' Theater (MAT) production will feature two individuals with Blaine County roots.

For the next three weeks, area residents are in for a theatrical treat with evening and matinee showings of Mamma Mia, which will be directed by Angela Pratt. Show dates are September 10-11, 16-18, and 23-25. Bonnie Ortner will play the role of Rosie, and Michelene Edwards will not only play Father Alexandrious but sing in the choir-two roles she is sharing with Maggie Daniels, her understudy.

The two Blaine County characters will be joined on stage by the following cast members:

• Donna – Angela L Murri

• Tanya – Angela Pratt

• Sophie – Julea Robbins

• Ali – Katelyn Maloughney

• Lisa – Carsyn Vogel

• Sky – Jake Palmer

• Pepper – Scott Woods

• Eddie – Aylan Pratt

• Harry – Mike Zook

• Sam – Casey Pratt

• Bill – TC Knutson

Other members of the choir include Angela Messinger, Amanda Knutson, Ethan Davison, Louis Durward, Dever Everingham, Kate Hemmer, Tylee Hemmer, and Erin Kadermas.

ABBA's music carries the story in this drama about a young woman's search for her birth father. This sunny and funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, Sophie's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years earlier. As Sophie, the spirited bride, wrestles with the decision about who will walk her down the aisle, the audience will both laugh and wish to join in on many familiar jukebox songs.

This show was originally scheduled for March 2020 but had to be rescheduled due to pandemic related restrictions. At that time, the Blaine County Journal-News--Opinion carried a story in which Ortner confessed that this was her first musical ever and that she is excited to perform Rosie Mulligan in Mamma Mia. Having been involved in the previous MAT productions of Steel Magnolias and Rugburns, she expressed pleasure in Pratt's willingness to "take a chance" and cast her as Rosie in this show.

According to Ortner, the storyline is not deep or intensely thought-provoking, so there isn't a lot of interpretation of the lines that the witty and wisecracking Rosie speaks. However, Ortner claims to have enjoyed reenacting the character of Rosie-a warm and caring person with a fun spirit. She also stated that for her inaugural musical, this script is a perfect one since the songs convey so much of the storyline and the characters' attitudes.

"This play really is about the music, so it's very upbeat and joyful. I have enjoyed working with the group of people in the cast, although a number of the original cast members had to be replaced for one reason or another after a year and a half. Still, we have worked so hard and formed relationships, and that's great fun, too," Ortner reported.

Because Ortner grew up on country music artists like Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Hank Snow, the ABBA soundtrack isn't the music of her youth. Consequently, the various songs don't trigger memories like they do for so many others who hear them. Nevertheless, she appreciates disco music and welcomes the role's challenge.

Given the time lapse with the show, Edwards expressed mixed feelings. "We were all ready to open and all excited for the show to begin, and then we got shut down. With the delay and long time between then and now, I wasn't sure I still wanted to do it, but I had made a commitment, so I didn't feel like I could back out. The show is coming together and looks and sounds fantastic, so I'm excited!"

That Edwards will be playing the role of Father Alexandrious, the minister who officiates Sophie's wedding in the final scene, is an interesting coincidence since Edwards will be missing two performances on September 17 and 18 because of her nephew's wedding. As a result, her understudy, Maggie Daniels will take her place on those dates.

When asked which song in the show is her favorite, Edwards-who loves music and loves to sing-replied: "Well, I think I would have to say Chiquitita, which I sing back stage, but it has always been a favorite. I also like Slipping Through My Fingers because of the emotion that Angela Murri gives the song. It makes me cry every time."

At the theater on the MSU-Northern campus on Cowan Drive, the show opens on Friday at 8:00 p.m., with matinees on September 12 and September 25 at 2:00 p.m. The matinee performances will follow social distancing guidelines. Seats will be grouped by purchase to keep family groups separate from other patrons.

Tickets are available online at mtactors.com/tickets/ and locally at Havre Chamber of Commerce, The Computer Center, and Bear Paw Meats. Those individuals who purchased tickets for the Mamma Mia show originally scheduled in March 2020 are advised to check their email for a code to obtain tickets for September's show. Codes are specific to each patron, and using them in MAT's ticketing system is simple. Instructions are in the email that accompanies the code. Anyone who didn't receive a code is encouraged to check junk or spam folders. Questions about codes can be emailed to info@mtactors.com, and anyone with questions about the show is encouraged to call the theater office at 945-0272.