Photo: courtesy of Lucky Duck Photo
	Performers from last year’s fundraising production of (So You Think You Can) Grease, including Loren Backler and Lisa Peters, who will participate in the upcoming show, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

As the famous Andy Warhol saying goes, everyone gets their fifteen minutes of fame. Some local music lovers will get their spot in the limelight for all the right reasons in an upcoming performance of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, a musical fundraiser featuring the hit songs of Abba, to be performed Sunday June 5 at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts. The show will benefit youth-oriented programming at the centre.

Participants had to earn their stage time, as they are required to obtain pledges from friends and family in order to participate. “Featured performers” each get a personal profile page on the group’s website (http://www.mammamiaherewegoagain.com) and each participant’s fundraising progress is proudly displayed as a way to keep motivation and friendly competition high. Supporters can go to their chosen performer’s page to sponsor them with an online form.

Participants had to raise certain amounts based on whether they wanted to perform a solo or be in the choir of backup singers, with soloists required to raise at least one thousand dollars.

The production brings together professional musicians and choreographers as well as amateurs and total theater newbies. Some are returning participants from last year’s production of (So You Think You Can) Grease, which had a similar mandate.

“Last year’s production was a great success, it was sold out,” recalls Shari-Ann Fleming, participant and Segal Centre employee, who also noticed some of last year’s spectators returning to register this year as performers.

The production is also a way to give volunteers and theatre students valuable work experience. Many of the musicians, including musical director Nick Burgess, are McGill School of Music graduates. Director Lisa Rubin returns after choreographing last year’s show.

The fundraiser will help to bring school groups to the Centre for cultural shows that they may not have otherwise had access to.

Carrie Mazoff, who will sing a solo in the classic hit “Super Trooper,” was pleased to participate this year after missing the deadlines last time, and pleasantly surprised at the number of people in her entourage who pledged to sponsor her.
She admits to being a ‘little nervous,” but also excited about the opportunity. “It’s so cool to get to do this, since normally you wouldn’t get the chance if you’re not a veteran musician. And the support from the theatre has been very professional, so we really feel like we’re part of something special.”
The performance will include excerpts from the 2008 film on the group, Mamma Mia, and a singing and dancing chorus.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
Segal Centre for Performing Arts, 5170 Côte-Ste-Catherine Rd.
Sunday, June 5, 2021
matinée: 1 p.m., evening show: 7:30 p.m.
www.mammamiaherewegoagain.com

[ Ingrid Wissink ]