Urbana High School’s drama department is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary with this year’s production of Mamma Mia. The show is shaping up to be its most ambitious undertaking to date. With a cast, crew, and pit orchestra totaling nearly 150 people, the show has become a full-scale community effort, one that the student playing Donna says she’s thrilled to be part of.
Sophie in the show is a young woman about to get married on a Greek island. She was raised by her single mother, Donna, and has never known who her father is. There are two leads planned to perform in the show, Leah Jeffries and Piper Estok. Unfortunately, we were unable to secure an interview with Piper Estok. Here are some words from one of the leads, Leah Jeffries. “I was excited from the moment I heard we were doing Mamma Mia!” shared Leah Jeffries (12th). “A large budget was put into the show, and with so many people involved, it feels like we’re creating something truly special.”
Urbana High School’s drama department is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary with this year’s production of Mamma Mia. The show is shaping up to be its most ambitious undertaking to date. With a cast, crew, and pit orchestra totaling nearly 150 people, the show has become a full-scale community effort, one that the student playing Donna says she’s thrilled to be part of.
Sophie in the show is a young woman about to get married on a Greek island. She was raised by her single mother, Donna, and has never known who her father is. There are two leads planned to perform in the show, Leah Jeffries and Piper Estok. Unfortunately, we were unable to secure an interview with Piper Estok. Here are some words from one of the leads, Leah Jeffries. “I was excited from the moment I heard we were doing Mamma Mia!” shared Leah Jeffries (12th). “A large budget was put into the show, and with so many people involved, it feels like we’re creating something truly special.”
Leah Jeffries, who plays Donna Sheridan, says she immediately connected with her character. “I adore how determined she is to shape her own future even when everything around her gets wonderfully messy,” she explained. “She has such a hopeful heart, and playing her lets me explore that mix of joy, confusion, and courage.”
When asked what audiences will enjoy most, she didn’t hesitate. “It’s a jukebox musical based on ABBA’s hits, and their music is known to get people on their feet and excited,” she said. “I think audiences will love how joyful and high-energy everything feels, like they’re being swept onto the island with us.”
For anyone who hasn’t seen Mamma Mia! Before, she describes it as “a warm, funny, music‑filled story about love, family, and figuring out who you are, all wrapped in ABBA magic.”
With its vibrant soundtrack, heartfelt story, and the enthusiasm of a massive student team, this year’s production promises to be a standout moment in the school’s theater history. If Jeffries is any indication, the cast is more than ready to bring the island sunshine to the stage.
