Bailey Kozlen, Lily Mavros and Sophia Hartke step into character as they perfect their electric Donna and the Dynamos routine in the fishbowl. Kozlen stars as Tanya while Hartke portrays Rosie, two of Donna’s friends. Photo Courtesy of: Mrs. Beth Topping

“Mamma Mia!” featuring the chart-topping hits of Swedish pop group ABBA, will bring disco-era energy to Community’s stage when the jukebox musical debuts on April 10.

The show follows Sophie (Em Irey) as she searches for the identity of her father before her wedding day. After discovering an old diary belonging to her mother, Donna (Lily Mavros), Sophie narrows the possibilities to three men—played by Cohen Boyd, Cole Luginbuhl and Miguel Patino-Diaz—each unknowingly drawn into the mystery. 

While the story unfolds in a sun-soaked Greek island setting, directors Ms. Elizabeth Topping and Mr. Ben Luginbuhl are leaning into production design—set, lighting and costuming—to bring both the Mediterranean atmosphere and ABBA-inspired spectacle to life.

“I envision it being a colorful show,” Topping said, “and just loads of fun.” 

That spectacle begins with lighting. At the top of Topping’s wish list? A disco ball. 

But beyond the mirror ball, the director hopes to incorporate black lights into some sequences–like one scene where Sophie has a nightmare, the lighting transforming the scene into a surreal, high-energy moment.

“I want to see what the black lights do,” she said. 

In the scene, Topping envisions Sophie’s groom outfitted in an exaggerated wedding dress, flanked by her three potential fathers, bringing humor and contrast to the moment.

It will be up to costume designer Ms. Joy Hafen to bring that vision to life.

Hafen, a longtime parent volunteer, is also working to balance the show’s Mediterranean and disco influences. While some outfits reflect traditional Greek-inspired designs, others lean into the extravagance of the ’70s.

“A lot of it,” Haffen said, comes down to “the types of fabrics used. If I put everybody in jeans, for instance, it’s going to feel kind of heavy. But if I use fabrics like chiffon or gauze, when people move on stage, the fabrics move as well. It just automatically gives you a sense of lightness.” 

Beyond movement, Hafen is drawing inspiration from ABBA’s iconic looks, as well as other ’70s acts like KC and the Sunshine Band and Earth, Wind & Fire.

“I’ve never done anything that flashy, so I’m excited,” she said.

While costuming plays a key role, resourcefulness is central to the production’s design. With a limited budget, the team is upcycling materials and repurposing costumes from past shows.

“I think it is interesting in high school theater,” Hafen said, “how resourceful you have to be. You have to work with what you have to create something amazing.”

That resourcefulness extends beyond costumes to sets and props.

“Where do you find [scuba] flippers inexpensively?” Topping said. “Because good flippers are $40 or $50 a pair, and we’re using them on stage for four shows.”

Another challenge—the search for a set of bagpipes.

“Not quite sure on that one,” Topping said on sourcing the instrument which serves a small, humorous role in the production.

Regardless of whether bagpipes make the final cut, the cast and crew are channeling the show’s energy into every aspect of production.

“You see those fabrics kind of spin and flow as they dance on stage,” Hafen said, highlighting how the costume design will complement the movement on stage.

Rehearsals are in full swing, with choreography underway for large ensemble numbers, including “Money, Money, Money,” “Mamma Mia” and “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” as the cast and crew work to bring  the show to the Community stage on April 10, 11 and 12.