The theater productions at Peddie have always been great successes within the school community, but the 2026 winter musical is considered by many to be one of its best. This year, Peddie’s theater department staged “Mamma Mia!,” a timeless show that has captivated audiences with bold storylines and addictive songs ever since it was first produced in 1999.
“Mamma Mia!” follows a young woman named Sophie Sheridan (played by Hannah Fahmy ’27) as she attempts to find out who her father is by inviting three “suspects” to her wedding. By doing so, she builds conflicts with her mother, Donna (played by Sanai Parrish ’26), who does not want to reopen the past that she thought she had buried. The story is exciting and heartwarming as the characters find their true identities, build trust and love for one another, and admit vulnerability and longing.
The performances mesmerized audiences both inside and outside of Peddie, over just one night of dress rehearsal and three nights of shows that spanned from Wednesday, February 18, to Saturday, February 21. Students, teachers, parents and alumni gathered in Geiger Reeves to enjoy the show. Even relatives, friends and members of Meadow Lakes made the trip to Peddie to enjoy a night of fun dancing, singing and storytelling. The show was so popular that tickets were sold out for its closing night.
The show was also a great opportunity for seniors to finish their Peddie music and theater careers on a strong note, and backstage on the final night was filled with tears and expressions of gratitude. “‘Mamma Mia!’ was a meaningful opportunity, and I especially felt that during the last night of the show,” said Alvin Lyuh ’26, who played Sophie’s bridegroom Sky in the musical. “I realized that this would actually be my last Peddie production, and that there was also a chance that I might never get to do a musical again. So the show was something really special to me. Even during rehearsals, which most people agreed to be very tiresome, I was still having fun because I realized that I might miss this in the future,” he said.
The rest of the production team was also able to make amazing memories as singers, dancers and actors. “My favorite part of the production process for ‘Mamma Mia!’ was when we began putting the whole show together on stage. Yes, it was tedious and tiring to stop and start over and over again during the tech process, but it’s always so exciting to get back on stage, wear a mic and costume, and familiarize myself with the set to get more into character for the real show,” said Chloé Cheng ’27, who played Ali, one of Sophie’s closest friends. “I’ve only done winter musicals at Peddie, so each year getting back on the stage reminds me how much I love being a part of Peddie Theater and how much I love performing.”
Being involved in a production also gives students the chance to refine their skills and learn from each other. “Going into senior year, I want to focus on being more intentional with my acting choices. I am a singer before an actor, but watching my peers this year made me truly appreciate how greatly good acting elevates a show,” Cheng continued. “Next year will be my last year doing shows at Peddie, and I want to devote more time to improving my acting skills by learning from and working with my peers.”
Overall, Peddie’s rendition of “Mamma Mia!” was very well-received by the community. It was an opportunity for the Peddie community to bond over the same storyline and songs; for the Peddie theater to step up to a greater level of expression and skill; for the seniors to mark off their Peddie career strongly; and for juniors, sophomores and freshmen to explore and rediscover their talents and passions – to begin their labors anew – once again.
