Ryan Ostry
Bugle Reporter
@RyanOstry_BR18
rostry@buglenewspapers.com
Whether it’s the film or play, “Mamma Mia” has been a fictional household iconic love story since the premiere in 1999.
Lewis University decided that it is such a big hit, that they were going to show a production on campus.
What made this specific play intriguing was that just like in the story, the real life team duo of a mother and daughter were the two main leads.
Olivia Gerk (mother) and Elena Gerk (daughter) put on a show at the Fine Arts Center in front of a crowd destined to see the beloved love story.
Having performed in plays in the past, the mother daughter duo said that they love the infectious energy of this popular production that is based off of the songs in ABBA, who is a Swedish pop group formed in 1972.
“Having all three of us on stage is just unreal,” Olivia said. “It’s truly amazing and it feels like magic when we are all on this stage together.”
Alluding to the third person on stage with the mother daughter duo was Olivia’s brother, John.
“It’s obviously very nice to have both my uncle and my mom on the stage with me,” Elena said. “It’s great to just get the whole cast together and bring them all in on our comfort level here.”
The play itself is based on Donna (Olivia Gerk) as an independent hotelier in the Greek islands who is preparing for her daughter’s wedding with the help of two old friends.
Meanwhile, Sophie (Elena Gerk), the spirited bride, has a plan where she secretly invites three men from her mother’s past in hope of meeting her real father and having him escort her down the aisle on her big day.
“It’s a pretty touching an emotional show sometimes,” John said. “With all of the music, the story line and everything else in involved, it’s really a good show for a family to come and enjoy.”
Over the years, the production has received many accolades and titles from the worldwide success of the film and the play.
“Mamma Mia” is the ninth longest running show in Broadway history, it has premiered in more than 440 major cities globally, has grossed more than $4 billion at box offices and has been seen by more than 65 million people worldwide in 50 professional productions in 16 different languages.
Auditions for the production happened at the beginning of May, and each member of the family each said the tireless work of the entire cast was why coming to work was so enjoyable each and every time.
“Vocally it was pretty quick to pick up on the songs because it of the familiarity of the songs,” Olivia said. “I think once we all put it together on the stage with the storyline, everybody just clicked even more and it’s been an overall great experience.”