By Samantha Santana
Get ready to sing along with the Performance Club cast.
After weeks of practice and preparation, the Performance Club will take to the stage Friday, May 30, at the Wrightsville Beach Amphitheater, performing “Mamma Mia! Sing-a-long In the Park.”
Performance Club Director LJ Woodard said “Mamma Mia!” was chosen because it was a fun musical piece.
“‘Mamma Mia!’ seemed perfect to get people ready for the summer and get people in the fun, beach mode, “ Woodard said. “It’ll definitely make the parents laugh and enjoy themselves. Like ‘Grease,’, people know the music already. It’s a sing-along. … It’s going to make you get up and dance.”
Woodard said the performance would be the Performance Club’s grand finale as many of the cast members are preparing for summer camp.
“It’s the grand finale. It’s a recital. It’s the end of the performance,” Woodard said.
There will be 50 performers from Woodard’s acting classes.
“Wrightsville Beach Parks and Rec will perform about three or four songs each. They’re divided by younger and older [children],” Woodard said. “The Insight School of Acting is an acting school in Wilmington. Most of the kids are locals from the area, they live in Wrightsville Beach.”
Woodard said no auditions are necessary for Children’s Theater in the Park, a program by the Performance Club that puts on performances such as “The Sky is Falling” in March.
“This is a free event and everyone and anyone can come. I don’t have auditions. They’re all so great in their own way,” Woodard said. “There’s no stress involved in this program. It’s the most stress-free program probably in Wilmington.”
The performance is a fun free family event that brings the community together.
“It’s great for the community. We have fun and cute kids that will make you laugh. They’re so into it. I think it’s a great thing for everyone,” Woodard said. “If you think about it, it brings the community together, even down to the sponsors like the new restaurant Ceviche. It’s great for the local business community. It creates great memories. It’s just a positive way for the community to get together.”
The performance will feature ABBA songs that will get audience members on their feet, clapping and singing along.
“Our grand finale will be the major show stopper,” Woodard said. “‘Dancing Queen’ is so catchy. ‘Money Money Money’ is a fun routine … And of course, ‘Mamma Mia,’ we perform that very dramatically.”
The show is Friday, May 30 from 5:30-7 p.m., at the Wrightsville Beach Amphitheater.
“People bring their own chairs and blankets and picnics. We have available Party Eats and Treats, and Rita’s,” Woodard said.
Woodard said she hopes the experience is a memorable one.
“I want them to say, ‘Remember Mom, when I got up and danced to ‘Dancing Queen?’” Woodard said.
