The Hockomock Area YMCA Theatre Institute presented ABBA’s hit-musical, Mamma Mia! last month. The play tells the hilarious story of a young woman’s search for her birth father in

this high energy jukebox musical, with favorite songs including “Dancing Queen”, “Super Trouper,” “Take a Chance on Me” and more.

The musical was performed by a cast of 25 local youth (11 of whom are Franklin residents) at the Marilyn Rodman Performing Arts Center/Orpheum Theatre Foxboro.

Franklin residents Gina Schratz and Savannah Nosek starred as mother-daughter duo Donna and Sophie in the production.

 Savannah Nosek (Franklin) and Gina Schratz (Franklin) share a joyful moment during Mamma Mia! rehearsal

“So many shows focus purely on romantic relationships,” explained Schratz, who has been performing at the Y since age 7. “Mamma Mia! focuses on another love story: mother and daughter. As I’ve been watching my youngest brother look at colleges, I’ve been confronted with the knowledge that my siblings and I are all growing up and we won’t see each other as much as we used to. In rehearsals, I’ve connected with Donna as she struggles to hold on to the memories of her little girl, while also wanting to give Sophie the freedom to choose her own path.”

Catherine Middelmann, also of Franklin, played the vivacious Tanya. “This show has been a dream of mine for so long, bringing such a fun story from the screen to the stage is truly a unique experience. It’s been a lot of work and also a lot of fun. When you love ABBA and theatre, how could you not have the time of your life combining both!”

 3-Ally Braude (Sharon), Savannah Nosek (Franklin), and Marissa Sabella (Mansfield) rehearse the opening number “Honey Honey.”

The cast of Mamma Mia! included Samantha Baker (Plainville), Gwenne Balcius (Franklin), Hana Bower-Wickersham (Hanover), Ally Braude (Sharon), Olivia Devlin (Franklin), Savannah Devlin (Franklin), Brigid Gilberti (Franklin), Mary Hanley (Franklin), Emily Hathaway (Franklin), Anne Kane (Walpole), Michael Landy (Mansfield), Evan Madden (Franklin), Catherine Middelmann (Franklin), Savannah Nosek (Franklin), Michaela Olah (Franklin), Brody Phillips (Mansfield), Zoey Roth (Mansfield), Addie Ruter (Foxboro), Marissa Sabella (Mansfield), Gina Schratz (Franklin), Zachary Schreiber (Mansfield), Mallory Simpson (Bellingham), Jordan Tavares (Mansfield), Ilana Wulf (Sharon), and Madelyn Zimbalist (Sharon).

The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information visit hockymca.org.