Matt Ward Entertainment has today revealed the stellar principal cast and ensemble for the homegrown production of the smash-hit musical, MAMMA MIA!, coming to The Star Gold Coast this June 19 to July 11.
The team of seasoned performers will take to the stage alongside Gold Coast local, Madeline Grice, who was crowned the lead role of ‘Sophie Sheridan’ during MAMMA MIA!’s Star Search announced last month.
Telling the much-loved story of a young bride-to-be whose quest to discover the identity of her father draws three men from her mother’s past back to a Greek Island on the eve of her wedding, this beloved musical is set to the toe-tapping songs of ABBA.
With a profile rapidly on the rise, Lakota Johnson, is the actor, model and digital influencer born and bred on the Gold Coast set to play the lead role of Sophie’s soon-to-be husband ‘Sky’. With the film industry in his family history, Lakota has been training with The Warehouse Studio Australia and overseas, landing roles in feature films including Dora and The Lost City of Gold and the upcoming Elvis Presley biopic, directed by Baz Luhrmann. In 2020, Lakota also appeared in a guest role in the Netflix series #blackAF, created by Kenya Barris.
Cast as ‘Donna Sheridan’ and playing the role of Sophie’s mother is Jayde Westaby. Hailing from the UK, Jayde trained at Bird College of Performing Arts in London and has had a successful career overseas playing ‘Judy Haynes’ in White Christmas, ‘Magenta’ in The Rocky Horror Show (UK Tour), ‘Velma Kelly’ in Chicago (London West End), ‘Tanya’ in MAMMA MIA! (Australian Tour), and several other musical theatre performances to date.
Sean Mulligan is no novice to the stage, playing ‘Sam Carmichael’ who is one of Sophie’s three fathers in the production. Sean began training at the age of four under the direction of Peta Norton and has toured Australia with Sophie Monk, Danni Minogue and performed with Drew Anthony and Leonie page in The Fabulous Rhythm Boys. Most recently, Sean has been travelling the world with The Tap Pack.
Local Gold Coaster, James Shaw, is set to star as ‘Harry Bright’ after his lead role of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ in Wicked. A graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, James is a seasoned actor, writer and director who has boasted a successful career in Australia and abroad. He previously played ‘Harry’ in Little Star/RCCL’s production of MAMMA MIA!, ‘Amos’ in Chicago and ‘Collins’ in RENT to name a few.
With a background in music, cabaret, opera and musical theatre, Sandro Colarelli’s award-winning talents will see him play the role of ‘Bill Austin’. A contemporary performance maker, Sandro has received a Matilda Award for his roles in The Odyssey for Zen Zen Zo/QPAC and The Venetian Twins for Queensland Theatre Company. Sandro has also played in Twelfth Night, Summer Rain (Queensland Theatre), The Adventures of Figaro (Opera Queensland) and more.
Following an extensive audition process conducted by Matt Ward Entertainment last month, 16 additional performers have been cast in various supporting and ensemble roles for the iconic production, including Kyra Thompson ‘Ali’, Alicia Fox ‘Lisa’, DonAlex Vilitama ‘Pepper’ and Zane Powell, Jackson Brash, Maddi Coleman, Ryley Shaw, Carla Doyle, Selin Doygun, David Cuny, Shyan Andrews, Aurelie Roque as the ensemble – with a handful of roles still to be announced.
Producer Matt Ward said the calibre of cast for MAMMA MIA! will make for an exciting rendition of the iconic production.
“We are proud to have a very inclusive cast, filled with an abundance of talent from across Queensland and beyond. With both seasoned performers and a few budding musical theatre stars, the Gold Coast can expect a stellar three-week season of performances like you’ve never seen before.”
“MAMMA MIA! is all about the feels and having a good time, so we hope audiences sing along and enjoy the toe-tapping sounds of ABBA’s classic hits.”
Presented by Matt Ward Entertainment, MAMMA MIA! the musical will take to the stage at The Star Gold Coast from June 19 to July 11.
Tickets are on sale now via Ticketek and for more information on Matt Ward Entertainment or MAMMA MIA! the musical, head to the website: www.mammamiamusical.com.au
Media contact: amy@m10.com.au