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Here We Go Again! Cape students bring ‘Mamma Mia!’ to life

Shows continue March 20-22 at high school theater
Bride-to-be Sophie, played by Willow DiMichele, reads her mother’s diary with friends Lisa and Ali, played by Briana Vargas and Alayna Pastor. NICK ROTH PHOTOS
Nick Roth
March 20, 2026

“Mamma Mia!” has returned to the Cape Henlopen High School theater. 

After it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, director Sadie Andros said she’s excited to bring the classic musical back to Lewes. 

“Six years ago, on March 12, 2020, I bid farewell to my students as they departed from our rehearsal for our spring musical, ‘Mamma Mia!’ Little did we know at the time, but our school would shut down and our show would never get to take the Cape stage,” Andros said. “Ever since then, it has been a dream of mine to bring ‘Mamma Mia!’ back to our students and community.”

The show premiered March 19 to a packed house. It continues with shows at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday, March 20 and 21, and 2 p.m., Sunday, March 22. 

The charming story is told through the timeless songs of ABBA. “Mamma Mia!” premiered in London's West End in 1999, then opened on Broadway in 2001. Since then, it has been performed in more than 50 countries, and it was made into a movie starring Amanda Seyfried and Meryl Streep in 2008.

“I am incredibly grateful to the cast, crew and musicians of ‘Mamma Mia!’ who have poured their time, energy and talent into bringing this show to life,” Andros said. “Being part of this theater program means being part of a family, and I feel so lucky to share that with them.” 

 

Bride-to-be Sophie, played by Willow DiMichele, center, sings a song with friends Lisa and Ali, played by Briana Vargas and Alayna Pastor.
Sophie, played by Willow DiMichele, greets the three men who could be her father (l-r) Sam Carmichael, played by Daniel Cunningham, Bill Austin, played by Noah Lewis, and Harry Bright, played by Reilly Chomas.
Donna, played by Daphne Mock, right, is shown an old photograph of herself with her friends Tanya, played by Ruby Manos, and Rosie, played by Anna Currence.
Reminiscing on the olden days are (l-r) Rosie, played by Anna Currence, Donna, played by Daphne Mock, and Tanya, played by Ruby Manos.
Sophie, played by Willow DiMichele, shares a moment with her fiance Sky, played by Owen Sponaugle.
The male cast has a fun moment.
Performing a song from the past are (l-r) Tanya, played by Ruby Manos, Donna, played by Daphne Mock, and Rosie, played by Anna Currence.
The cast performs a song together.
Everyone gets into the action during this song.
Sky, played by Owen Sponaugle, is dressed up as a bride during this dream sequence.
Sophie, played by Willow DiMichele, shares a moment with her mom Donna, played by Daphne Mock.
Daphne Mock plays Donna.
Daniel Cunningham performs a song as Sam Carmichael.
Daphne Mock sings a song as Donna.
Pepper, played by Gavin Carlisle, and Tanya, played by Ruby Manos, perform “Does Your Mother Know.”
Tanya, played by Ruby Manos, dances with the female cast.
Sophie, played by Willow DiMichele, shares a moment with her fiance Sky, played by Owen Sponaugle.
Harry Bright, played by Reilley Choma, and Donna, played by Daphne Mock, reminisce about their time together 20 years earlier.
Charlotte Evans plays Little Sophie during a flashback while Daphne Mock sings a song as Donna.
Mother and daughter get ready for the wedding. Donna, played by Daphne Mock, helps Sophie, played by Willow DiMichele, get her dress arranged.
Sharing the stage for “Take A Chance On Me” are Anna Currence as Rosie and Noah Lewis as Bill.
Sharing the stage for “Take A Chance On Me” are Anna Currence as Rosie and Noah Lewis as Bill.
Sam Carmichael, played by Daniel Cunningham, proposes to Donna, played by Daphne Mock, after her daughter calls off her wedding.
Father Alexandrios, played by Taylor Ruark, is lifted by Bill Austin, played by Noah Lewis, during “I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do.”
Father Alexandrios, played by Taylor Ruark, performs during “I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do.”
The cast takes a bow.
The cast poses at the conclusion of the show.

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Nick Roth is the news editor. He has been with the Cape Gazette since 2012, previously covering town beats in Milton and Lewes. In addition to serving on the editorial board and handling page layout, Nick is responsible for the weekly Delaware History in Photographs feature and enjoys writing stories about the Cape Region’s history. Prior to the Cape Gazette, Nick worked for the Delmarva Media Group, including the Delaware Wave, Delaware Coast Press and Salisbury Daily Times. He also contributed to The News Journal. Originally from Boyertown, Pa., Nick attended Shippensburg University in central Pennsylvania, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He’s won several MDDC awards during his career for both writing and photography. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, going to the beach with his family and cheering for Philadelphia sports teams. 

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