The musical theater department’s rendition of “Mamma Mia!,” directed by Aaron Johnson, was a stunning breakout musical with an incredible cast and many of ABBA’s biggest hits. It exceeded my expectations, and it was definitely worth my time.

The musical is centered around a girl named Sophie, played by Larie Rodriguez, who wants to learn who her father is, so she invites her three potential fathers to her upcoming wedding. This forces her mother Donna, played by Claire Cheney, to face her past with each of the three men on behalf of Sophie.

 The drama between the leads kept me interested and engaged, so there was rarely a dull moment. The interaction between characters felt real and intimate, and no scene ever felt forced. The characters were well cast, especially Larie Rodriguez. Rodriguez did an excellent job of bringing Sophie to life, from the rawness of her longing to the excitement about her wedding. Mamma Mia! was her ninth performance, and her experience on stage was evident in her confidence.

Combined, these factors made Mamma Mia! a thrilling experience, and I loved every second of it. The show was everything I wanted and more, and I couldn’t have asked for a better performance.