When Ethan McAffer saw the Centennial Secondary musical Rock of Ages last year, he thought to himself, “I want to do that.”
So when course selection came along, the then-Grade 9 student signed up for Nicole Hipditch’s Musical Theatre class at the Coquitlam high school — never thinking he would win a starring role for his début.
Last September, when McAffer took the stage to audition for Mamma Mia!, he blew his classmates away with his vocals.
“We all cheered,” said Siryn Cowie, who is co-directing the popular show with her twin, Phoenix, and portrays one of three Dynamos, Rosie Mulligan.
McAffer, 15, is fulfilling the role of Bill Austin in Mamma Mia!, which opens on Thursday, Feb. 8, in the Coquitlam school theatre; his mother, Tanja, is also supporting the team, stitching up costumes for the cast of 25.
Makenna Jung, a co-choreographer with her twin Tessa, portrays Sophie, the 20-year-old daughter of Donna Sheridan, who is about to wed on a fictional Greek island but wants to know who her biological father is before she ties the knot with her fiancé Sky.
Sophie has secretly invited three men to her nuptials who were linked to her mother around the time she was conceived.
While McAffer plays one possible dad, Hanbin Cho takes on the architect Sam Carmichael — portrayed by Pierce Brosnan in the 2008 jukebox film with Amanda Seyfried and Meryl Streep — while William Glukler is the third possible father: British banker Harry Bright.
Glukler said his character is nothing like the Stacee Jaxx rocker he played last year in Rock of Ages.
“In fact, he’s probably the total opposite,” the Grade 11 student laughed.
“I really love Mamma Mia! When I got the role, I didn’t know quite what it was all about, but it came together so seamlessly and the music is incredible.”
Speaking after a matinee yesterday, Feb. 6, for Montgomery and Como Lake middle schools, the leads told the Tri-City News about the ABBA soundtrack created for the show, and the energy it gives off.
Among the hits performed include “Honey, Honey,” “I Have A Dream,” “Super Trouper,” “Thank You for the Music” and “Waterloo.”
“Lots of the students were singing along with us today,” said Tamika Roberts, who plays the mother Donna.
“It’s a great to have that audience connection.”
For Makenna Jung, she’s eager to show her performing chops as Sophie — a part she auditioned for.
“I’ve never done voice or acting before, but I’m an Irish dancer and that’s given me a lot of confidence. I’m always happy to be on a stage.”
Tickets for Mamma Mia! at Centennial Secondary School (570 Poirier St., Coquitlam) are $18/$15 via centmusical.brownpapertickets.com. If available, tickets will also be sold at the door. The musical runs Feb. 8 to 10 and Feb. 14 to 17. The curtain rises at 7 p.m. (matinee at 1 p.m. on Feb. 10). The show is two hours and 30 minutes long with an intermission.
