The stage at Steamboat Springs High School will be transformed into a Greek Island paradise this week as students from the drama troupe bring the music of ABBA to life along with the heartfelt story of the iconic musical “Mamma Mia!”

“Even though ABBA hasn’t been making music for a while, (our students) are still loving it,” said Michael Martinez, program director for the Steamboat Springs High School Drama Troupe. “We did two 10-minute musicals last May for Spring Festival, but we have not done a full-length musical since ‘Shrek’ in 2024.”

Martinez said the 48 students in the cast and crew of the musical started working on the production four months ago. The cast of actors was set after auditions in June. That was the same time backstage crew began working behind the scenes to build the sets and choreograph the smooth scene transitions that will take place in the live performances Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

“I believe there are eight or nine set changes in Act 1, and six or seven in Act 2, and most of them have some sort of change,” said Sam Berliant, student technical director. “This is the first one in a long time where we’ve had changes mid-scene, so that’s exciting.”

Berliant, a high school junior who has been backstage for productions since middle school, said the pace of “Mamma Mia!” and the need to change the set mid-scene requires the crew he leads to step out of the shadows into the light during the production and make the needed changes without piquing the interest of the audience seated in the auditorium.

“I’m not a big fan of being on stage … I love building everything and seeing it all come together,” Berliant said of his role in the production. “Plus, I get to hang out with my friends and see cool shows every night without the complete stress of messing up lines.”

The cast for the high school’s musical production of “Mamma Mia!” includes Taylor Jenkins, who takes on the role of Donna, the owner of the tavern on the Greek island where the musical unfolds, and the former lead singer of “Donna and the Dynamos.” She is also the mother of Sophie, played by Sophie Hill, who has invited three of her mother’s past lovers to her wedding. Sky, played by Erick Yeiser, hopes to discover her father, sparking chaos, love and laughter. 

Steamboat Springs drama club member Emma Griffith plays the part of Tanya and Elliot Sibson plays Rosie. Hudson Merlina takes on the role of Bill, Truman Osias plays Eddie and Korbin Pyles plays Harry — all of whom dated Donna in the past.

Performances are set for 6:15 p.m. Thursday; 4:15 p.m. Friday; and 1:15 and 6:15 p.m. Saturday. The shows take place at Steamboat Springs High School, 45 E. Maple St. Tickets are available at the school online box office at  SteamboatSchools.net/about-us/box-office.

“A lot of the students love this musical,” Martinez said. “We wanted to do something that featured a big dance ensemble, and that was the main motivation behind picking this show.”