Stephanie Malewski, who stars as Donna in “Mamma Mia!” takes cues from director Anthony Bruno in rehearsals of the Phoenix Productions’ upcoming musical.
Photo courtesy Phoenix Productions
By Mary Ann Bourbeau
RED BANK – In taking on the lead role in Phoenix Productions’ upcoming musical, “Mamma Mia!” which begins Nov. 15, Stephanie Malewski went beyond the surface in exploring the lyrics to the songs made famous by the 1970s Swedish supergroup ABBA.
“I’ve always used “Dancing Queen” to clean my house,” said the Fair Haven resident. “But now I’m finding that these songs are very complex. There’s a lot of color, with interesting rhythm and melodies. What’s beautiful about this show is that it’s not just ABBA music with a play written around it; it’s a play where the music moves the story along. It’s a brilliantly crafted show.”
Malewski plays Donna Sheridan, a hotel owner in the Greek islands who, with the help of her two best friends, is preparing for her daughter Sophie’s wedding. Meanwhile, Sophie secretly invites three men from her mother’s past to the wedding in the hopes of finding out which is her father, so he can escort her down the aisle.
“When you have to let your children go, there’s a certain amount of grief and conflict,” said Malewski. “I get her in terms of being a mom. I think a lot of women can relate.”
Malewski works as a financial advisor in Red Bank, but is also a classically trained vocalist. She performs in area community theater productions and helps out backstage with costumes, determined to always keep theater a part of her life.
“I decided that I would always have a musical life no matter what I do,” said Malewski, who also sits on the board of the Monmouth Civic Chorus. “Phoenix is a wonderful place for young people to get as close as they possibly can to professional theater. They have a great deal of respect for every person who contributes to a show, and they really offer a lot to the community. It’s a diamond here in Monmouth County.”
“Mamma Mia!” features Cassandra Jones as Sophie; Kelly Kerrick and Jo Wymer as Donna’s friends, Tanya and Rosie; and Eric Harper, Jim Marhold and Dennis Tolentino as Sam, Bill and Harry, the three potential fathers. The cast also includes Carlie Goldfarb, Arianna Scarano, James Buhse, Quincy Southerland and Cameron Schlussler, along with 10 ensemble members. Musical director Kara Leigh leads the cast through 22 songs, including “The Name of the Game,” “Lay All Your Love on Me,” “The Winner Takes It All,” “Take a Chance on Me,” Dancing Queen” and, of course, “Mamma Mia.”
Justin Odon of Eatontown is associate producer of “Mamma Mia!” He oversees scenery, lighting and the soundboard to ensure the entire production runs smoothly. He has been working with Phoenix Productions for four years and aspires to a career in theater.
“I grew up listening to the music of ABBA,” he said. “My grandparents used to play it. My nickname for my grandma was Dancing Queen. ‘Thank You for the Music’ is one of my favorite songs. It makes me think of my grandpa, who used to sing and play the guitar. He really opened my mind into the performing arts. Without his music, I wouldn’t have gotten this far with my dream.”
New York City-based director Anthony Bruno is directing his first show with Phoenix. He has worked at Signature Theater, The Gallery Players, Hudson Guild Theater, Feinstein’s 54 Below as well as the Paper Mill Playhouse. Though he earned a BFA in musical theater, Bruno felt he also had a director’s brain.
“I always loved being on stage but I was also the first one to sign up for scenic and lighting work too. It’s important for me to have an understanding and respect for all parts of the machine.”
He, too, was impressed with the sense of community that is evident in the staff at Phoenix Productions.
“The cast is so dedicated to taking ownership, creating something unique and lifting each other up,” he said. “From the actors to those building the sets, even the people plunging the toilets at the Basie, this is truly an ensemble.”
Bruno acknowledges that ABBA’s music can easily be construed as simple catchy pop tunes, but he believes the lyrical content comes from a deeper place.
“It’s easy to do ‘Mamma Mia!’ from a surface point of view,” he said. “But there is something special at the core of the show, something that makes it the hit that it is. We’ve uncovered nuanced, rich characters underneath this amazing pop music.”
Bruno has nothing but praise for his cast, especially Malewski.
“Stephanie is fearless in her creativity,” he said about Malewski. “She came into the audition on a whim. When we brought her for a callback, it was as if Donna materialized in the room right front of us. It was astounding!”
When Malewski found out she got the role, she looked at her husband and said, “Mamma Mia, here I go again,” she said. “He knows whenever this happens, I disappear for a month.”
“Mamma Mia!” will be performed at the Count Basie Center for the Arts Nov. 15-24. Tickets are $24-$36 and can be purchased at thebasie.org.
Arts and entertainment reporter Mary Ann Bourbeau can be reached at mbourbeau@tworivertimes.com.
