Spotlight Series - June 2025More than a musical: The Magic Behind Mama Mia!
Spotlight Series
June '25 Mama Mia! at Griffith Regional Theatre
Griffith | Leeton | Murrumbidgee | Narrandera
More Than a Musical: The Magic Behind Mamma Mia!
There is something electric in the rehearsal room. Beneath the disco lights and iconic ABBA anthems; this year’s Griffith Regional Theatre production of Mamma Mia! is shaping up to be more than just a feel good crowd pleaser. It is a celebration of local talent, artistic risk-taking, and the joyful chaos of making something together.
This June, I sat down with Director Oumi Karenga-Hewitt and cast members Belle Madden and Moses Lolohea to talk about what is unfolding behind the scenes and what the community can expect when the show hits the stage this September. Rehearsals are only held twice a week, but the energy in the room is proof that this is no ordinary community production. For many in the cast, it is personal. It is transformative, and it is a long-awaited creative homecoming.
Oumi does not hesitate when asked what makes this cast special, “This is definitely the most vocally blended cast that I’ve heard,” she says, “I could sit there and listen to them all day”. It is her fourth production at Griffith Regional Theatre, and each time she has witnessed firsthand the way people surprise themselves and each other through the rehearsal process. This year’s group, she says, brings something extra.
Talking about Belle and Moses, who are taking on the romantic leads Sophie and Sky for their first-ever musical theatre roles, Oumi lights up, “They are both highly accomplished vocalists — a talent that isn’t always common in regional areas”. While both are well-known locally for their musical skill, acting and choreography are new territory. When the conversation turns to choreography, Moses laughs “I can’t dance." He is quickly challenged by director Oumi. “I’m trying — I’m sure we’ll get it — but nah, I’ve never tried to dance before” He says. From the smirks between Belle and Oumi, it is clear there is more confidence in him than he is letting on. The audience might be in for a surprise.
“To be honest, I think audiences have no idea what they have got coming. Vocally, this cast is insane.” Director, Oumi Karenga-Hewitt
For Moses, it was a colleague who gave him the push to take part “I wasn’t going to do the musical,” he admits. “But I work with Rosanne, and she got me into it. I’ve never done one before — it’s my first time.” There is something incredibly affirming about having someone in your corner, nudging you toward new experiences. For Moses, that nudge has led to something far beyond his comfort zone. And now, weeks into rehearsals, the results are starting to show. Belle, meanwhile, was looking for a new experience that would challenge her “I wanted to do something that would challenge me,” she tells me. “I wanted to learn some new skills, get a bit more experience under my belt. I love doing community stuff — so this felt like the perfect combination.”
Belle and Moses are set to fast become audience favourites — and they have not even hit the stage yet. Belle beams when talking about their on-stage chemistry. “I really like the Sophie and Sky scene. It is cheeky and alive, I really enjoy that. And I’d say we get along quite well, so we have fun as we do it too.”
Belle is no stranger to the stage, having taken out Best Original Song and People’s Choice at last year’s Grass Roots Open Mic Competition. Despite this, she says her first reaction to being asked to join the cast was fear, “I was approached last time and I said no — because I was terrified.”. That fear is familiar to many artists and creatives. When asked what they’d say to someone considering trying out next time, Moses thinks for a moment, “Just have a go. It’s gonna be different — but I’ve been enjoying it. I’ve met a whole different crew of people that are my people, which is pretty cool.”
When asked who they would play if given the chance, it takes a moment for each to consider. Belle is first to declare, “Oh, Tanya! She’s great — she’s naughty, she’s fun, she’s carefree and sassy. That would’ve been so cool to lean into.” The way she says it makes certain that fellow cast member Lara Calabria must bring her own special touch to the role. As if confirming that the casting is almost as important as the character for this choice Oumi chimes in “mines based on the person that’s playing the role more than the actual role – mine would be Gustavos Pepper”, to which there is an emphatic agreement all around. Moses adds, grinning. “Yeah — he’s a funny guy.”
Over the weeks, rehearsals have become more than a routine. For Belle and Moses, they have been a launchpad for personal growth and artistic change, “It’s helping me grow — not only musically but in general,” Moses reflects. “I like to say I’m not a confident guy — and that’s not totally true — I am confident to a point. But I play footy on the weekends, and now I’m here singing in a musical and learning to dance — and meeting new people. I love it.”. For Belle, the impact is flowing into her songwriting, music and more “Vocally, I’m getting stronger every week, which is really cool. The music that I write is reflecting my stronger vocals. It’s fun to go back to stuff I’d written before where I couldn’t hit a note, or didn’t have the stamina — and now it’s becoming easier and more natural.”
These experiences have shifted the way both view themselves as artists. Music may be a lifelong passion for both, but the musical has broadened even their understanding of what music is and can be “It’s like I’ve been around music my whole life — but joining this musical, I thought I knew music,” says Moses. “This is a whole different part of music I’ve never done.” Belle expands on this and how it has helped to build up both her confidence and sense of play, “It’s just making me feel like I was always doing this stuff, but now I’m doing it with a purpose. I think the confidence thing, definitely — and probably just trusting myself a bit too. From the first week when you get given a book and it’s like ‘now do this scene’ and it’s like — ugh, I can’t! But now we walk upstairs and it’s like little kids playing — it’s really fun. You’re gonna know what to do — you’ve just gotta trust yourself.”
Community has been a big part of the experience too. Belle says she’s found a little family within the cast, “The dads! I do feel very close to the dads, that’s really nice. As someone who’s out here by myself, it’s nice to feel like I’ve got a little musical family now.” It’s a sentiment that resonates deeply with Oumi. She credits her own decision to settle in our region to Griffith Regional Theatre productions. “Doing Wicked was the reason I stayed here. Before that, I didn’t enjoy living here at all. I met all these people who had day jobs doing other things — and we just enjoyed doing something creative on the side. Those people have stayed my friends for ten years.” Seeing and hearing the emotion here just hammers home the point. It can be tough when you move to a new area to feel at home, and finding a community that is as supportive, fun and friendly as the Western Riverina’s arts communities is essential to this sense of belonging.
Balancing work with rehearsals has its challenges. Belle works in schools as a psychologist, while Moses is a Student Learning Support Officer and footy coach. “My breaks at work are now full of this as well,” Belle says, “Whether that’s another cast member coming in and running a dance over my lunch break or something. It gives me time out to myself, which is good.” It has become part of her routine. Her perspective speaks to the balance we all hope to achieve between our day jobs and creative practices, where one can support and contrast the other. While Belle’s work can at times be all encompassing, Moses tells me he finds his to be the least of what he needs to balance “I’ve got footy and I coach the under 18s as well. So I’ve gotta make time for training sessions and games — but with work, it’s fairly chill. It’s full-on, but it works.”. I can see on their faces how both have been positively influenced by the extra something in their lives each week.
For those thinking about getting involved, Oumi says to start small, “Find a way to get involved that doesn’t push you beyond your limits — and next time do a little more.” While it can be challenging to take that first leap all three have a positive take on doing so, you do not have to be on stage. There are roles for all kinds of people, whether that is backstage, on sound and lights, or in costume and set design.
With opening night on the horizon, thoughts are turning to what it means to bring an icon to life. “It’s terrifying!” Belle says. “It’s scary. It feels like there’s a little bit of pressure, because I think most people have seen the movie — at least — or the stage show. That’s a lot to live up to. But it’s exciting”. For those who think they know Mamma Mia!, the cast say to think again. “To be honest, I think audiences have no idea what they’ve got coming. Vocally, this cast is insane. And seeing it in theatre vs watching a movie — there is nothing that can compare. It’s got a fun little family vibe.” Oumi explains.
Griffith Regional Theatre’s Mamma Mia! will take to the stage this September. Expect fun, heart, and a whole lot of harmony. Tickets are on sale from Tuesday 1st July, get yours before they sell out.
Written by Zooey Korhonen, Western Riverina Arts Communications Officer
Photograph: (Provided) Director Oumi Karenga-Hewitt with cast members Belle Madden and Moses Lolohea stand in front of Griffith Regional Theatre.
Graphic: (Provided) Mama Mia cast list.
