Actors Sophie Rossman and Colin Konstanty at the performance of "Mamma Mia!" by the Staples High School Players on Nov. 23, 2019, in Westport.
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Actors listen to Don Rickenback, musical director, give instructions at the performance of "Mamma Mia!" by the Staples High School Players on Nov. 23, 2019, in Westport.
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Actor Cassie Lang, 17, left, talks with actor Claire Baylis, 16, at the performance of "Mamma Mia!" by the Staples High School Players on Nov. 23, 2019, in Westport.
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Will Matar, 17, vice president of tech, works on stage at the performance of "Mamma Mia!" by the Staples High School Players on Nov. 23, 2019, in Westport.
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David Roth, director and drama teacher, talks to students before the performance of "Mamma Mia!" by the Staples High School Players on Nov. 23, 2019, in Westport.
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Actors mingle on stage before sound check at the performance of "Mamma Mia!" by the Staples High School Players on Nov. 23, 2019, in Westport.
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Chloe Nevas, 15, does some last-minute work on the costumes before the performance of "Mamma Mia!" by the Staples High School Players on Nov. 23, 2019, in Westport.
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Emily Desser, 15, gives Sydney Gusick, 14, a last-minute touch-up with makeup before the performance of "Mamma Mia!" by the Staples High School Players on Nov. 23, 2019, in Westport.
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Actors do warm-up exercises before the show at the performance of "Mamma Mia!" by the Staples High School Players on Nov. 23, 2019, in Westport.
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Tech crew members Sophie Clemens, sophomore, and Shane Gordon, junior, get ready for the show at the performance of "Mamma Mia!" by the Staples High School Players on Nov. 23, 2019, in Westport.
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Annabel Kavetas, 18, helps Bridget Looby, 16, with her makeup for the performance of "Mamma Mia!" by the Staples High School Players on Nov. 23, 2019, in Westport.
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WESTPORT — Packed-house audiences got something to smile about this weekend when the Staples High School Players put on the feel-good jukebox musical “Mamma Mia!”
“I’ve a very, very popular show,” said David Roth, Staples’ drama teacher and director. “It’s really great to see so much of the community come out.”
“And it’s been a fun process,” said 17-year-old Tomaso Scott, Players Club secretary. “You gotta love Abba,” the Swedish rock group whose 1970s-era hit songs formed the basis for the musical about a young woman who tries to discover the identity of her father by investigating her mother’s past romances.
“Once you do ‘Mamma Mia!’ you’re part of this big family who have all done this production,” Scott said, noting that choreographers and Fairfield couple Rachel McIsaac and Chris Myers appeared together in its touring company.
At the same time, the club itself — which has been an active part of the high school for more than half a century — works together like a family.
“It really is one of the tightest communities I’ve ever seen,” said Will Matar, 17, vice president of tech. “I know it sounds corny, but we do form lifelong friendships because we’re here all the time and we’re committed to putting on a great show, which we do.”
Roth added that “Mamma Mia!” is a welcome feel-good, happy story.
“Right now we need feel-good happy stories,” he said.
