WOODS CROSS—Need a break from the wintertime doldrums? Sit back and be entertained as Woods Cross and Farmington High Schools present their spring musicals, “Mamma Mia” and “Spamalot.” 

“Mamma Mia” centers around Sophie, a young bride-to-be who invites three men from her mother’s past to her wedding in the hope of finding her real father so he can walk her down the aisle.  

“We have a really talented group of girls and I wanted to do something that would show off their ability,” said Woods Cross High drama teacher Lindsay Boucher. “You can’t beat Abba music, the energy, enthusiasm. It’s a great story of relationships won.”

There are 30 cast members and 30 students who helped with the scenery, she said. “They built sets and got the props ready. We have a woman who comes in and paints stuff on the stage. It’s a talented group.”

The show was open to all kids, said Boucher. “It’s a mix of seniors, juniors and sophomores.”

Boucher said they started to rehearse in November. “But COVID numbers were on the rise so after winter break we decided to take a little hiatus and push back the dates about three weeks later to make sure the kids stay healthy.”

The show is filled with music and dancing. “The kids are doing it all,” she said. “We’re lucky to have Heather Sessions doing the choreography. She’s been with the department for a long time. She comes in and teaches them. There’s a lot of dancing and singing in it. The kids are talented in a lot of different ways as a collective whole.”

It’s a familiar film and definitely a more family friendly version, she said. “We want the community to come see the show and feel comfortable. We strive each year to make sure that happens. The students worked really hard. They’re excited to perform it.”

“Mamma Mia” runs March 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 at 7 p.m. with a 3 p.m. matinee on Saturday at Woods Cross High, 600 W. 2200 South. Tickets are $5 for students, children and seniors and $8 for adults. They are available on the school website or at the door. “The Saturday matinee is a sing-a-long,” said Boucher. “You’re not just going to see the show but you can participate with us.”

“‘Spamalot’ is a story about finding our passion and purpose in life while not taking ourselves too seriously,” said Farmington High School drama teacher Courtney Christison. “The characters poke fun at Arthurian legend while also pointing out the flaws that we have as humans. Then they tell a joke and we’re left rolling in the aisles.”

It’s also the first time the school will have a live pit orchestra to accompany a musical, she said. “The players in the pit are all FHS students that have been working under the direction of Brek Mangelson and the assistance of Sarah Silva, FHS instrumental music teachers.”

Christison said after two crazy years of COVID she felt the kids needed something silly and joyful to work toward. “This show has had its own share of hiccups with both cast and directors being out for COVID, remote learning and all the other strange things life throws at us, but we have pulled together something special. We’ve found ways to look on the bright side of life.”

Spamalot runs Feb. 25 – March 5 at 7 p.m. with matinee performances on both Saturdays at 2 p.m. Tickets are available on the school website fhs.davis.k12.ut.us or at https://farmingtonphoenixathletics.com/event-tickets. Farmington High is located at 548 West Glovers Lane. λ